Growth and alignment of polyaniline nanofibres with superhydrophobic, superhydrophilic and other properties.
Polyaniline nanofibres can be prepared by a number of methods based on chemical oxidative polymerization and in situ adsorption polymerization. However, the lack of alignment in these nanostructures makes them unsuitable for many applications. Here, we report a simple approach to chemical oxidative polymerization that can control the growth and simultaneous alignment of polyaniline nanofibres grown on a range of conducting and non-conducting substrates in a wide variety of sizes. The diameters of the tips of the nanofibres can be controlled within the range 10-40 nm, and the average length can be controlled within the range 70-360 nm. Moreover, the coatings display a range of properties including superhydrophilicity and superhydrophobicity. Such nanostructured coatings may be useful for applications such as anti-fog coatings, self-cleaning surfaces, DNA manipulation, transparent electrodes for low-voltage electronics, and chemical and biological sensors.
Chiou
Nan-Rong
NR
Lu
Chunmeng
C
Guan
Jingjiao
J
Lee
L James
LJ
Epstein
Arthur J
AJ
D000814:Aniline Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods*; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D046911:Macromolecular Substances / Q000737:chemistry; D008422:Materials Testing; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010316:Particle Size; D013499:Surface Properties
D000814:Aniline Compounds; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; C416807:polyaniline