Long perfluoroalkyl chains are not required for dynamically oleophobic surfaces

Abstract

Dynamically oleophobic surfaces for alkane liquids, such as n-decane, n-dodecane and n-hexadecane, were successfully prepared using a simple sol–gel mixture containing 3,3,3-trifluoropropyltrimethoxysilane (FAS3) and tetramethoxysilane (TMOS). Due to the enhancement of the motion of functional groups by addition of TMOS as a molecular spacer, small volume alkane droplets (3 μL) could be easily set in motion to move across and off our hybrid surfaces without pinning at low tilt angles (∼10°), and without relying on conventional surface roughening and long-chain perfluoroalkylsilanes.