A layer of 14 nm-sized Ag nanoparticles undergoes complex transformation when overcoated by thin films of a fluorocarbon plasma polymer. Two regimes of surface evolution are identified, both with invariable RMS roughness. In the early regime, the plasma polymer penetrates between and beneath the nanoparticles, raising them above the substrate and maintaining the multivalued character of the surface roughness. The growth (β) and the dynamic (1/z) exponents are close to zero and the interface bears the features of self-affinity. The presence of inter-particle voids leads to heterogeneous wetting with an apparent water contact angle θa = 135°. The multivalued nanotopography results in two possible positions for the water droplet meniscus, yet strong water adhesion indicates that the meniscus is located at the lower part of the spherical nanofeatures. In the late regime, the inter-particle voids become filled and the interface acquires a single valued character. The plasma polymer proceeds to grow on the thus-roughened surface whereas the nanoparticles keep emerging away from the substrate. The RMS roughness remains invariable and lateral correlations propagate with 1/z = 0.27. The surface features multiaffinity which is given by different evolution of length scales associated with the nanoparticles and with the plasma polymer. The wettability turns to the homogeneous wetting state.

Charles University Faculty of Mathematics and Physics Department of Macromolecular Physics 5 Holešovičkách 2 18000 Prague Czech Republic

Charles University Faculty of Mathematics and Physics Department of Surface and Plasma Science 5 Holešovičkách 2 18000 Prague Czech Republic

Institute of Physics Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic Cukrovarnická 10 16200 Prague Czech Republic

J E Purkyne University Faculty of Science České mládeže 8 40096 Ústí nad Labem Czech Republic

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