In situ surface selective functionalization of honeycomb patterned porous poly(ε-caprolactone) films using reactive substrate

Poly (ε-caprolactone) honeycomb patterned porous films were selectively functionalized on the bottom surface with polypyrrole/silver (PPy/Ag) composite via in situ interfacial polymerization on a reactive substrate during the breath figure procedure. For the interfacial in situ polymerization, poly (ε-caprolactone) solution including pyrrole was cast on a reactive ice substrate. The reactive ice substrate contains aqueous methanesulfonic acid and silver nitrate as an oxidizing agent for the pyrrole monomer. FT-IR, EDX, UV-Visible, conductivity, and wetting measurements support the formation of PPy/Ag on the bottom surface of the films. Pore size, conductivity, and wettability increased with increased concentration of pyrrole. Films with different functionalization on either surfaces can be applied in various advanced applications such as flexible electrodes, tissue engineering, etc. [Display omitted] •Bottom functionalized patterned films were fabricated using reactive substrate.•Breath figure process was performed on top surface.•Interfacial polymerization was performed on bottom surface.•Color, composition, wetting, conductivity are different on top and bottom surfaces.•Films might have a great promising potential in advanced applications.