SONOCHEMICAL FABRICATION OF LIQUID-LIKE SURFACES

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:200%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Liquid-repellent surfaces are smooth solid surfaceswith covalently grafted flexible polymer brushes or alkyl monolayers andpromise a wide range of uses.&nbsp;Surface-tethered flexible species exhibit high mobility at roomtemperature, imparting a unique liquid-like quality to solid surfaces andnon-wettable against liquids with a wide surface tension ranging from 20 to 73mN/m. More importantly, the liquid-like molecular layer modulates crucialinterfacial properties such as friction and adhesion, potentially enablingnovel functions and applications that are beyond the reach of traditional solidcoatings. Herein, we present sonochemical grafting of methyl-terminatedpoly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) to the surface for practical and sustainablefabrication of liquid-like coatings. Methyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxane isgenerally regarded as inert and, therefore, non-reactive with surfaces. Thegrafting of PDMS to the surface is achieved by using an ultrasonic homogenizer.Intense sound waves cause the scission of siloxane bonds and the formation offree radicals, enabling room-temperature grafting within 1 hour or less. PDMScan be applied using brushing or drop-casting methods, facilitating itssuitability for large-scale applications.<o:p></o:p></span>