Substrate-Independent and Re-Writable Surface Patterning by Combining Polydopamine Coatings, Silanization, and Thiol-Ene Reaction

Polydopamine coating is a unique, simple, and substrate-independent surface functionalization strategy. Techniques for secondary functionalization, patterning, and re-functionalization of polydopamine modified materials are important to broaden the scope of applications of such materials in a variety of fields. Here, a facile and substrate-independent strategy for surface functionalization and patterning is presented. This approach combines the advantages of three important methods: facile and substrate-independent polydopamine coating, versatile gas phase silanization, and rapid thiol-ene photoclick reaction for patterning. They demonstrate equally efficient functionalization and patterning of diverse materials, such as glass, polytetrafluoroethylene, aluminum, polypropylene, or polyethylene. They also show the possibility of controlled chemical removal of the patterns or surface functionalization by treatment with tetrabutylammonium fluoride, which allows re-modification or re-patterning of the substrate. Thus, this universal and powerful approach for substrate independent surface modification and patterning can significantly facilitate the development of novel functional materials and devices useful for various applications.