The fabrication of amphiphobic materials requires a precise and complicated design, especially for 3D porous materials, and amphiphobic sponges have rarely been investigated. This paper describes the synthesis of a superhydrophobic and oleophobic silicone sponge (SS-F) by simply building hierarchical structures, that is, introducing a secondary structure on the pore walls of a hydrophobic and oleophilic silicone sponge. This simple and efficient synthesis method is based on the thiol-ene click reaction. The uniform structure, composition, and hierarchical structures of SS-F are confirmed. The results of the analyses show that the secondary microstructure improves liquid repellency, while the rough and porous surface design ensures durability. Thus, SS-F exhibits good stability, and the amphiphobicity of the surface could withstand scalpel cutting, cyclic compression, extreme temperatures of 250 and -196 °C for 5 h, and long-term storage in an ambient environment. Both its outer and inner surfaces show superhydrophobicity and oleophobicity, which restrict the ability of the adsorption of liquids, enabling its use in oil and water. The introduction of hierarchical structures paves a way for preparing other 3D porous materials.
Keywords: hierarchical structures; oleophobic sponges; silicone sponges; superhydrophobic sponges; thiol-ene click reaction.
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