Simultaneous Formation of a Self-Wrinkled Surface and Silver Nanoparticles on a Functional Photocuring Coating

Bioinspired functional surface with micro/nanostructures are particularly attractive because of the potential for outstanding characteristics, such as self-cleaning, self-replenishing and antibiosis. Here, we presented a facile approach to fabricate a functional photocuring coating with both a self-wrinkling patterned surface and incorporated silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs). Fluorinated polymeric photoinitiator (FPPI) and silver precursor (TFAAg) can self-assemble together on the air/acrylate interface to form a top layer of photocuring liquid resin. Under UV irradiation, a wrinkled pattern was formed as a result of the mismatch in shrinkage caused by photopolymerization between the top layer and the bulk layer. Simultaneously, Ag NPs with sizes of 15 ± 8 nm in diameter were in situ generated in the photocuring coating through the photoreduction of TFAAg. Their number density is higher in the top layer than in the bulk. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and atomic force microscope (AFM) measurements revealed that the characteristic wavelength (λ) and amplitude (A) of the wrinkled morphology increased with growing concentration of FPPI, and that the generation of Ag NPs led to the wrinkle-to-fold transition. Furthermore, the obtained functional coatings possess a low surface energy and self-replenishing and antibiosis capabilities as a result of the synergistic effect of the wrinkled surface covered by FPPI and Ag NPs.