Biomimetic fabrication of lotus-leaf-like structured polyaniline film with stable superhydrophobic and conductive properties

Superhydrophobic surfaces were successfully prepared on Ti/Si substrates via the fabrication of conductive poly aniline (PANI) nanowire film. The PANI nanowire film was synthesized by electrodeposition of aniline into the pores of an anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template on Ti/Si substrate followed by the removal of the template. The surface showed conductivity and superhydrophobicity, even in many corrosive solutions, such as acidic or basic solutions over a wide pH range. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) demonstrated that the binary geometric structures at micro- and nanometer scale bestowed the prerequisite roughness on the surfaces. The chemical surface modification made the PANI nanowire film superhydrophobic. The results demonstrated that the PANI nanowire film will have good potential applications in the preparation of conductive superhydrophobic surfaces.