| abstract |
The subject innovation is directed to hierarchical structures characterized by ultrahigh surface area and methods of fabricating the same, as well as attachment of functional species to these structures to alter interactions of these hierarchical structures with their environments, such as by making them permanently or reversibly hydrophilic. One such example hierarchical structure can include a solid substrate, an intermediate layer, at least one plurality of nanoscale attachments that are strongly bonded to the intermediate layer, and an oxygen containing species coating the at least one plurality of nanoscale attachments. |