Switching water droplet adhesion using responsive polymer brushes

Xinjie Liu, Qian Ye, Bo Yu, Yongmin Liang, Weimin Liu, Feng Zhou

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

116 Scopus citations

Abstract

Two stimuli-responsive polymers, poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) and poly(dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate (PDMAEMA), were grafted from initiator-modified anodized alumina substrates with irregular micro/nanoscale surface topography. The resulting polymer-coated surfaces exhibited highly unusual wettability properties, as spherical water/acid/alkali/salt droplets could be reversibly switched between pinned states and rolling states due to the changes of temperature, pH, and electrolytes. The key to this effect is the combination of a mixed monolayer which provides initiator points for brush growth as well as a permanently hydrophobic substrate and a surface roughness.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)12377-12382
Number of pages6
JournalLangmuir
Volume26
Issue number14
DOIs
StatePublished - 20 Jul 2010
Externally publishedYes

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