Superhydrophobic surface formation and modulation in a biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride derivative self-assembly system via changing alkyl chain lengthsElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c5ra05841d

• Main Authors: Cao, Xinhua, Gao, Aiping, Lv, Haiting, Lan, Haichuang, Cheng, Qiuli, Zhao, Na
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2046-2069
• DOI: 10.1039/c5ra05841d

A series of organogelators ( C4 , C6 , C12 and C18 ) based on biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride derivative were designed and synthesized. The organogels could be obtained via self-assembly of the biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride derivatives in some frequently-used solvents. The organogels were thoroughly characterized using various microscopic techniques including field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-vis and fluorescence spectra, contact angle. Interestingly, superhydrophobic surface was formed via the self-assembly of compound C12 in petroleum ether and exhibited the lotus-effect. The surface wettability could be modulated via changing alkyl chain lengths. The π-π stacking and van der Waals force were possible the main driving forces for gel formation. This gel system held promise for soft materials application in upscale superhydrophobic surface materials. A Superhydrophobic surface with lotus effect was formed via low weight molecule self-assembly.