Highly hydrophobic films with high water adhesion by electrodeposition of poly(3,4-propylenedioxythiophene) containing two alkoxy groups
Résumé
Highly hydrophobic properties with water adhesion (parahydrophobic properties) are obtained by electrodeposition of poly(3,4-propylenedioxythiophene) containing two alkoxy groups of various length (three to six). The depositions are performed by cyclic voltammetry with different deposition scans to obtain highly adherent and homogeneous films. The capacity to obtain highly hydrophobic properties is the highest with the shortest alkyl chains even if the monomer is intrinsically hydrophilic. This is due to the growth of nanofibers forming a highly porous film, favoring the Cassie-Baxter state but with a high water penetration inside the surface roughness. These coatings could be used in anti-bioadhesion for which it is important to have surface structures of size lower than that of the bacteria.