Metal-free and photo-controlled fabrication of fluorinated anti-fouling film

We reported a new photo-controlled synthesis route to fabricate a fluorine-containing thin film for protecting the oxidation of indium tin oxide (ITO) and other derivatives such as the fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) coated glasses. A relatively inexpensive, color/metal-free organic phenothiazine-based photocatalyst for atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) was successfully adopted by an ultraviolet light source to modified substrates. The fluorine thin film had a contact angle (CA) with water of 105.1°, an advancing angle of 112.2°, and a receding angle of 84.6°; leading to a hydrophobic nature with self-cleaning and anti-fouling properties. Our fluorinated conductive glass shows an optical transmittance up to 80–90% in the visible wavelength range. This work demonstrates the great value in the anti-fouling of electronics that secures itself from chemical contaminations in outdoor environments and use at high temperature and chemical erosions.