Solvent-controlled growth of silicone nanofilaments

Silicone nanofilaments (SNFs) with different features and hydrophobicity were grown on the surface of glass slides by simply regulating the solvent composition during the hydrolysis and condensation of trichloromethylsilane (TCMS). Toluene and its homologues are ideal solvents for the growth of SNFs. The suppression of solvents and molecules containing N and/or O elements on the growth of SNFs provides a chance to directly observe the roots of SNFs, the infant SNFs and the growing process. The roots of SNFs are formed by random immobilization of hydrolyzed TCMS and its oligomers (HTOs) onto the surface of glass slide. The HTOs could continuously anchor onto the exposed silanols of these roots under proper conditions, which enables their elongation and increases the aspect ratio.