Porous polymer-based monolithic layers enabling pH triggered switching between superhydrophobic and superhydrophilic properties

Abstract

pH-responsive surface layers consisting of porous polymer monoliths containing thiol groups have been prepared via a “thiol-ene” click reaction using a mixture of hydrophobic and ionizable unsaturated “ene” compounds. A proportion of these two “ene” reagents controlled the wettability of the surface that varied with pH, and enabled reversible switching between superhydrophilic and superhydrophobic properties.