J. Li, L. Li, X. Du, W. Feng, A. Welle, O. Trapp, M. Grunze, M. Hirtz, P. A. Levkin

Nano Lett. 15 (2015) 675–681

Reactive superhydrophobic surfaces are highly promising for biotechnological, analytical, sensor or diagnostic applications but are difficult to realize due to the chemical inertness of most superhydrophobic surfaces. In this communication, we report on a photoactive, inscribable, non-wettable and transparent surface (PAINTS), prepared by polycondensation of trichlorovinylsilane to form thin transparent reactive porous nanofilament on a solid substrate. The PAINTS shows excellent superhydrophobicity and can be conveniently functionalized with the photo click thiol-ene reaction. In addition, we show for the first time that the PAINTS bearing vinyl groups can be easily modified with disulfides under UV irradiation. The effect of superhydrophobicity of PAINTS on the formation of high-resolution surface patterns has been investigated. The developed reactive superhydrophobic coating can find applications for surface bio-functionalization using abundant disulfide bearing biomolecules, such as peptides, proteins, or antibodies.