Robust hairy microspheres and derived hairy surfaces by an "inside-out" wet approach

Robust hairy microspheres were conveniently synthesized through an "inside-out" protrusion approach consisting of a sol-gel reaction and a radical polymerization, from conventional organosilanes and vinyl monomers. Their hierarchical structures of hard cores and plastic hairs can be adjusted in terms of their sizes and compositions to impart various chemical and physical properties on their surfaces. These hairy microspheres can also be built into hairy surfaces with many useful functions, such as superhydrophobicity. This work opens up a new route for the synthesis of hierarchical particles and enriches the tool library of material and surface engineering.