Superhydrophobic conducting polymers based on hydrocarbon poly(3,4-ethylenedioxyselenophene)

We report the first studied example of wettability of conducting polymers based on poly(3,4-ethylenedioxyselenophene). Hydrocarbon 3,4-ethylenedioxyselenophene (C2H5 to C12H25) derivatives are synthesized and electropolymerized in propylene carbonate using lithium tetrafluoroborate (LiBF4) and lithium bistrifluoromethanesulfonimidate (LiTf2N) as electrolyte. Highly structured films are obtained from a C8H17 chain independent of the electrolyte used. Superhydrophobic properties with high adhesion are specifically reached if using a C12H25 chain and LiBF4. The surface morphology is porous and highly structured as the films consist of assemblies of nanofibrils.