This presentation will introduce the use of a confined surface-initiated ring-opening metathesis polymerization (SI-ROMP) of perfluoroalkyl norbornene monomers from solid substrates to synthesize surface-bound polymer structures with tunable physical and chemical properties that accurately replicate those exhibited by Nature's engineered, microscopically rough, and highly functional surfaces.  This approach not only allows replication of highly evolved and functional surface architectures but also provides versatility beyond Nature in that it introduces a wide variety of chemical compositions available in materials chemistry, including partially fluorinated polymers with ultralow critical surface tensions.  Optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy confirm growth of the polymer structures and the precise reproducibility of the microscale features exhibited by the target surface with the added freedom to expand beyond Nature's chemical building blocks.  Advancing contact angle measurements show that the surface coatings exhibit superhydrophobicity and oleophobicity.

Micromolding surface-initiated polymerization: Coatings that replicate nature's superhydrophobic surfaces

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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