Electroless deposition of multi-functional zinc oxide surfaces displaying photoconductive, superhydrophobic, photowetting, and antibacterial properties

Electroless growth of zinc oxide has been accomplished using palladium catalysts coordinated to pulsed plasma deposited poly(4-vinylpyridine) nanolayers. Four different and concurrent functional properties have been identified, which encompass photoconductivity, superhydrophobicity, photo-switchable wetting, and bacterial killing.