Siliconization to create liquid-like coatings for medically-relevant surfaces

Liquid-like surfaces have garnered significant attention due to their exceptional repellency to liquids and enhanced droplet mobility. These surfaces are created by grafting polymer chains onto a hydroxyl-rich substrate through acid-catalyzed covalent bonds. The flexibility of these polymer chains allows liquids to flow with minimal resistance, providing a unique platform for studying the fundamental interactions between liquids and solids. Recent breakthroughs have shown that liquid-like surfaces can effectively prevent biofilm formation in both static and dynamic conditions, attributed to their ultra-low in-plane static and dynamic friction. Furthermore, recent advancements have shown that it is possible to adjust the kinetic friction of liquids on these surfaces by methylation of the polymer chains. In this study, we demonstrate that simple modifications to the coating process can stably graft a liquid-like layer onto substrates such as glass, polydimethylsiloxane, polyurethane, and stainless steel using a chlorinated organopolysiloxane in heptane (Sigmacote), characterized by ultra-low contact angle hysteresis (<3°). Additionally, we show that methylating this liquid-like coating enhances droplet mobility on the surface. This research holds potential implications in medicine and the study of droplet dynamics.