Long perfluoroalkyl chains are not required for dynamically oleophobic surfaces

Dynamically oleophobic surfaces for alkane liquids, such as n-decane, n-dodecane and n-hexadecane, were successfully prepared using a simple sol-gel mixture containing 3,3,3-trifluoro-propyltrimethoxysilane (FAS3) and tetramethoxysilane (TMOS). Due to the enhancement of the motion of functional groups by addition of TMOS as a molecular spacer, small volume alkane droplets (3 mu L) could be easily set in motion to move across and off our hybrid surfaces without pinning at low tilt angles (similar to 10 degrees), and without relying on conventional surface roughening and long-chain perfluoroalkylsilanes.