title: Durable, superoleophobic polymer-nanoparticle composite surfaces with re-entrant geometry via solvent-induced phase transformation.
abstract: Superoleophobic plastic surfaces are useful in a wide variety of applications including anti-fouling, self-cleaning, anti-smudge, and low-drag. Existing examples of superoleophobic surfaces typically rely on poorly adhered coatings or delicate surface structures, resulting in poor mechanical durability. Here, we report a facile method for creating re-entrant geometries desirable for superoleophobicity via entrapment of nanoparticles in polycarbonate surfaces. Nanoparticle incorporation occurs during solvent-induced swelling and subsequent crystallization of the polymer surface. The resulting surface was found to comprise of re-entrant structures, a result of the nanoparticle agglomerates acting as nucleation points for polymer crystallization. Examples of such surfaces were further functionalized with fluorosilane to result in a durable, super-repellent surface. This method of impregnating nanoparticles into polymer surfaces could prove useful in improving the anti-bacterial, mechanical, and liquid-repellent properties of plastic devices.
authors.affiliation: Nanoprobe Laboratory for Bio- &Nanotechnology and Biomimetics (NLBB) The Ohio State University, 201 W. 19th Avenue Columbus, OH 43210-1142, USA.
authors.forename: Philip S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.affiliation: Nanoprobe Laboratory for Bio- &Nanotechnology and Biomimetics (NLBB) The Ohio State University, 201 W. 19th Avenue Columbus, OH 43210-1142, USA.
authors.forename: Bharat
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bhushan