Patterned honeycomb structural films with fluorescent and hydrophobic properties

Abstract

We have fabricated the patterned porous honeycomb-like film with the aggregation-induced emission (AIE) property successfully by breath figure method. Characterization of contact angles (CA) indicated that the patterned porous honeycomb structure can improve the hydrophobicity of the film, while smooth films do not have this function. Characterization of the fluorescence property indicates that the patterned honeycomb structure films are highly emissive. This work could not only be promising for controlling molecular group reorientation and suitable for the application of manipulating surface composition of the film but also make the tetraphenylethene derivatives with AIE properties have a promising application future in special wettability surface. The present findings should open a way for the new application of honeycomb structure materials, which will be useful in many areas, such as sensors, tissue engineering, clinical medicine, and biomaterials. © 2013 Liping Heng et al.