Superspreading on Immersed Gel Surfaces for the Confined Synthesis of Thin Polymer Films

Liquid spreading is of significant interest in science and technology. Although surface topography engineering and liquid surface-tension regulating can facilitate spreading, the spreading layers in these strategies are inevitably inhomogeneous or contaminated with surfactants. Herein, we show a general strategy to realize the superspreading of liquids on mutually soluble gel surfaces. The cooperation of the hydraulic pressure under liquid phase and liquid-like property of gel surfaces can dramatically eliminate the local pinning effect and enhance the advancement of three-phase contact line, thus forming stable and homogeneous superspreading liquid layers. Such liquid layers can be converted into various functional thin polymer films with controlled thicknesses (nm- to μm-scale) through one-step polymerization of the reactants. Our strategy offers opportunities for large-scale synthesis of versatile functional thin films for various applications. Superspreading on gel surfaces can be realized by utilizing hydraulic pressure and the liquid-like property of gel surfaces. The superspreading liquid layers can be converted into various functional thin polymer films with controlled thicknesses by a one-step polymerization reaction. Such films have promising applications in photovoltaic devices, flexible electronics, and separation films.