Polysiloxanes wettability

Rollings DA et al (2007) Formation and aqueous surface wettability of polysiloxane nanofibers prepared via surface initiated, vapor-phase polymerization of organotrichlor-osilanes. Langmuir 23(10) 5275-5278... 

Of course, the molecular orientation and the properties of the polymer and copolymer films control the surface wettability by water. Additionally, it is noteworthy that XPS measurements on coated aluminium samples did not show any traces of silicon. This ensure that polysiloxanes were absent and did not prevent the wetting by water. In the case of polymer-coated siUcon wafers the absence of silicon signals also indicates that the coating films were closed and dense. 

Rollings, D.-A. Veinot, J. G. C., Polysiloxane Nanofibers via Surface Initiated Polymerization of Vapor Phase Reagents A Mechanism of Formation and Variable Wettability of Fiber-Bearing Substrates. Langmuir 2008, 24, 13653-13662. 

The hydrophobic nature of polysiloxanes has limited their uses in biomedical appHcations, especially in those involving biocompatible devices. Obviously, increasing the hydrophilicity of any polymer surface improves its wettability and this, in turn, improves biocompatibihty. 

Rohings, D.E. and Veinot, J.G.C., 2008. Polysiloxane nanofibres via surface initiated polymerization of vapor phase reagents A mechanism of formation and variable wettability of fibre-bearing substrates. Langmuir, 24(23), pp. 13653—62. 

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