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Formation of Nanotubular Structures with Petal Effect by Soft-Template Electropolymerization of Benzotrithiophene with Hydrophilic Carboxyl Group

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Abstract

The bioinspiration is one of the best ways to make a breakthrough in a field, and particularly in the wetting properties. Bioinspired by natural species, such as rose petals and gecko foot, and previous researches, nanotubular structures are prepared here by soft-template electropolymerization in organic solvent and using an original benzotrithiophene with a hydrophilic carboxyl group, as the monomer. The best results are obtained by cyclic voltammetry because of a much higher amount of gas bubbles released with this deposition method. Both nanoparticles and nanotubes are observed while the water content has an influence on the number of nanotubes. Even if the monomer has hydrophilic carboxyl group, the best films have both high hydrophobicity (apparent water contact angle up to 130.7°) and strong water adhesion (petal effect). These surfaces could be used in future in applications such as water harvesting systems.

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The data that support the findings of this article are available in Journal of Bionic Engineering website (Springer) with the DOI of the article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Structural Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences of Tunis University of Tunis El Manar, 2092, Tunis, Tunisia

    Maroua Khodja, Imen Bousrih, Mejda El Kateb & Mohammed Beji

  2. NICE Lab, Université Côte d’Azur, 06100, Nice, France

    Frédéric Guittard & Thierry Darmanin

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  1. Maroua Khodja
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  2. Imen Bousrih
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  4. Mohammed Beji
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  5. Frédéric Guittard
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  6. Thierry Darmanin
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Correspondence to Thierry Darmanin.

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Khodja, M., Bousrih, I., El Kateb, M. et al. Formation of Nanotubular Structures with Petal Effect by Soft-Template Electropolymerization of Benzotrithiophene with Hydrophilic Carboxyl Group. J Bionic Eng 19, 1054–1063 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42235-022-00193-1

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