Self-assembling superstructures of cyclosiloxane amphiphiles with complex flower shapes and superhydrophobic properties

Complex flower-shaped superstructures (FSSs) have rarely been reported in pure organic systems with a single soft molecule without rigid skeletons. Herein, simple self-assembled complex FSSs using amphiphilic cyclosiloxane amphiphiles are obtained through drop-casting solution process. The synergetic effect of amide–amide hydrogen bonding/alkyl hydrophobic interactions can be tuned to generate “flower petals” either straight ligulate or curved-plate rosaceous corolla shapes. step-wise petal formation process is also investigated scanning electron microscopy. Furthermore, different shapes varying surface “wettabilities” demonstrated. ligulate-like structure forms networked porous that suspend water droplets non-wet contact mode, i.e., slippery superhydrophoborphobic surface. the petals exhibits wet-contact mode respect droplet sticky superhydrophobicity. results play significant role understanding and properties FSSs, thereby shedding new light on developing hierarchical materials from future.