"Reactive" Chemical Strategy to Attain Substrate Independent "Liquid-Like" Omniphobic Solid Anti-Biofouling Coatings

Covalent and defect-free surface-grafted solid lubricating chains that can impart 'liquid-like' slippery behavior have proven advantageous over lubricant infused and textured anti-wetting surfaces. Herein, the co-hydrolysis and co-condensation of a mixture of organosilanes followed by the epoxy-amine ring opening reaction at the interface results in a highly robust, transparent and 'liquid-like' solid slippery omniphobic coating (LL-OSC). The presence of the epoxy-terminated organosilane a) acts as a molecular spacer in between the low-surface energy, rigid fluorine terminated silane and b) provides 'reactive' epoxy groups for covalent binding to a pre-functionalized amine surface for potential applicability in droplet transport and manipulation, diagnostics etc. LL-OSC exhibits resistance to both solid and liquid abrasions such as sandpaper abrasions, prolonged UV irradiation, DI water and high temperature (30 days), submersion in chemically contaminated aqueous solutions. This is the first report of a hemocompatible solid slippery coating for inhibiting platelet adhesion, thus, paving way for blood-contacting medical device applications. Our LL-OSC exhibits remarkable cytocompatibility, repellence to plasma protein, cells and prevents biofilm formation. Additionally, the substrate independent LL-OSC can be applied onto metals and polymers. We envision that the reported durable, solid slippery coating will find widespread applicability in hospital settings, electronic devices etc.