Formation of Nanotubular Structures with Petal Effect by Soft-Template Electropolymerization of Benzotrithiophene with Hydrophilic Carboxyl Group

The bioinspiration is one of the best ways to make a breakthrough in a field, and particularly in the wetting properties. Bioinspired by natural species, such as rose petals and gecko foot, and previous researches, nanotubular structures are prepared here by soft-template electropolymerization in organic solvent and using an original benzotrithiophene with a hydrophilic carboxyl group, as the monomer. The best results are obtained by cyclic voltammetry because of a much higher amount of gas bubbles released with this deposition method. Both nanoparticles and nanotubes are observed while the water content has an influence on the number of nanotubes. Even if the monomer has hydrophilic carboxyl group, the best films have both high hydrophobicity (apparent water contact angle up to 130.7 degrees) and strong water adhesion (petal effect). These surfaces could be used in future in applications such as water harvesting systems.

Automated summary

In this study, nanotubular structures were prepared by bioinspiration using an organic solvent and a special monomer. The resulting films exhibited both high hydrophobicity and strong water adhesion, making them potentially useful for applications such as water harvesting systems.