Autogenous chemical and structural transition and the wettability of electropolymerized PANI surface

A change in surface wettability due to autogenous chemical and structural transition of electropolymerized polyaniline film is presented. A gradual increase in water contact angle of >150° on electropolymerized PANI surface was observed over the period indicated superhydrophobic surface. While an increase in the content of quinoneimine structure was observed, the surface morphology showed the formation of a dendritic structure on the aged PANI surface. Water contact angle measurement using different liquids showed the surface energy of PANI has decreased >70% after 30 days of exposure in the ambient environment. The findings are explained based on the mechanism of self-assembled micro-nano-cluster formation over PANI surface during continuous exposure.