| Formation of high aspect ratio organosiloxane fibres of nano-dimensionality via surface induced vapour phase polymerization of vinyltrichlorosilane is described. First, the motivations of the presented work are outlined and put in perspective by providing background information on polysiloxanes, one dimensional materials, thin films, and superhydrophobic surfaces. Nanofibres of controlled dimensions, dispersion and density were fabricated on various hydroxylated substrates and characterized by XPS, EDX, SEM and variable angle FTIR. The critical parameters for fibre formation were isolated and a mechanism has been postulated based upon our findings from parameter iteration reactions. The aqueous wettability of fibre-bearing substrates was shown to be influenced by fibre spatial density and length. Superhydrophobic surfaces, theta a > 150°, were obtained using two different approaches: solution functionalization of calcined fibres with 3,3,3-trifluoropropyltrichlorosilane (FTS) and co-polymerization with FTS. A proof-of-concept patterning procedure is demonstrated by selected area growth of polysiloxane nanofibres. Finally, the general conclusions and future project objectives are outlined. |
