Amphiphiles as hydrophobicity regulator: Fine tuning the surface hydrophobicity of an electropolymerized film

► Cationic polyaniline-anionic amphiphile interaction leads to tunable surface wettability. ► Attachment of amphiphiles leads to charge neutralization on polymer. ► Amphiphile tails and hydrophobic plugs cover the polymer surface to impart hydrophobicity. ► Inherent surface roughness of polymer films imparts surface adhesive properties. ► The process can be reversed and repeated by altering the applied potential between 0.6 V and −0.2 V.