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A Facile Approach to Superhydrophilic–Superhydrophobic Patterns in Porous Polymer Films
Author(s) -
Zahner David,
Abagat Joselle,
Svec Frank,
Fréchet Jean M. J.,
Levkin Pavel A.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
advanced materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 10.707
H-Index - 527
eISSN - 1521-4095
pISSN - 0935-9648
DOI - 10.1002/adma.201101203
Subject(s) - superhydrophilicity , materials science , wetting , polymer , porosity , nanotechnology , microfluidics , contact angle , transmittance , composite material , optoelectronics
A facile and versatile method for creating superhydrophilic patterns in superhydrophobic porous polymer films by UV‐initiated photografting is presented. The extreme difference in wettability between superhydrophilic and superhydrophobic areas allows the use of the superhydrophilic patterns as virtual microfluidic channels. The method allows for precise control of the size and geometry of photografted superhydrophilic features, and the thickness, morphology, and transparency of the superhydrophobic and hydrophobic porous polymer films.