Heterogeneous Silicone Nanorods with Region-Specific Functionality

Abstract

Region-selective chemical modification of nano- and microstructures can unlock a world of novel functional surfaces. However, this small scale makes region selectivity challenging, especially on homogeneous and chemically inert synthetic structures. Here, we report the one-step in situ dynamic synthesis of heterogeneous multicomponent hybrid silicone nanorods (MCH-SNRs). These nanorods bear specific modifiable regions that can be assigned to different positions on-demand and selectively functionalized via a photoinitiated, radical-based thiol-ene click reaction. The distribution of different constituent components with desired properties hinges on the independent growth of the individual segment of the bamboo-shaped structure, which can be tailored by using different precursors under specific reaction conditions. Region selectivity of the functionalization is validated by exploiting wetting transitions along bamboo segments, visualized by confocal microscopy.

Keywords: functional surface; multimaterial system; silicone; superhydrophobic; wetting state.