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Poly(3,4‐propylenedioxypyrrole) Nanofibers with Branched Alkyl Chains by Electropolymerization to Obtain Sticky Surfaces with High Contact Angles
Author(s) -
Diouf Djibril,
Diouf Alioune,
Mortier Claudio,
Darmanin Thierry,
Dieng Samba Yandé,
Guittard Frédéric
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
chemistryselect
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.437
H-Index - 34
ISSN - 2365-6549
DOI - 10.1002/slct.201701756
Subject(s) - alkyl , contact angle , nanofiber , adhesion , materials science , polymer chemistry , chemical engineering , fiber , grafting , chemistry , nanotechnology , polymer , composite material , organic chemistry , engineering
Inspired by natural species such as rose petals or Echeveria pulvinata leaves with both high water contact angle θ w and high water adhesion (also called parahydrophobic), we have prepared poly(3,4‐propylenedioxypyrrole) with branched alkyl chains on the 3‐position by electropolymerization. The grafting at the 3‐position keeps the NH group free, which is an important condition to obtain nanofibers. Different lengths of branched alkyl chains are studied. Here, using extremely long branched alkyl chains (ProDOP‐ br ‐C 10 ), it is possible to obtain extremely long and well defined nanofibers leading to porous surfaces (fiber mats) favoring the trapping of air between the surface and water droplets. Using a deposition charge of 200 mC cm −2 , extremely high θ w up to ≈ 140° while water droplets placed on this surface remained stuck even for a sliding angle of 90°, revealing extremely stron adhesion. These materials could be used in the future in water harvesting systems.