Fluorophobic effect for building up the surface morphology of electrodeposited substituted conductive polymers

During the past decade, several works display the electrochemical polymerization of fluorinated monomers as a highly efficient method (one-pot method, mild conditions, various morphologies) to obtain superhydrophobic or superoleophobic surfaces. Here, we point out the fluorinated tails not only are useful to increase both hydrophobicity and oleophobicity but also are involved in the formation of surface structurations: two necessary conditions for liquid dewetting. To support this assertion, a series of fluorinated pyrrole derivatives and their hydrocarbon homologues were synthesized and electrochemically deposited in the same conditions. Whereas hydrocarbon pyrroles give rise to smooth films, structured films are achieved from fluorinated pyrroles. The abundance of the surface structurations depends on the length of the fluorinated tail.