(717j) Surface Functionalization of Porous Substrates Via Initiated Chemical Vapor Deposition

Porous materials are used in various applications including separations membranes, paper-based microfluidics, and flexible electronics. Tuning surface properties of porous materials enhances the versatility of existing materials, giving them new functions and applications. However, traditional surface modification methods are typically solvent-based, which limits the range of substrates that can be coated. In this work, initiated chemical vapor deposition was used to continuously modify the surface of large areas of porous substrates. A superhydrophobic polymer was deposited onto a porous substrate and the coating was characterized using contact angle goniometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy to study the uniformity of the coating along the entirety of the substrate. The superhyodrophobicty of the coated porous substrate is attributed to the deposited polymer and the roughness of the substrate. Addition of a perfluorinated liquid to the superhydrophobic porous substrate formed a slippery liquid-infused porous surface. A UV-sensitive polymer was also deposited, and microfluidic channels were patterned into the coating.