The present invention relates to a method for producing a material with at least one functionalised surface.  In particular, the present invention provides a method for functionalising a surface of a substrate by binding functional compounds thereto.  The functional compounds when attached to or organised on the surface may have different physical and/or chemical properties compared to the starting materials. 
The chemical attachment of silicon-containing compounds to surfaces is known to the skilled person.  Conventionally, this is achieved by contacting a suitable surface with a suitable silicon-containing compound in the presence of an activator and heating the surface.  The reaction between the surface and the silicon-containing compound is relatively slow.  An example of the attachment of siloxanes to a polyester/cotton fabric using the application of heat is disclosed in U.S. Pat.  No.  4,417,066. 
It is also known to contact a suitable surface with a suitable silicon-containing compound and expose the compound and the surface to microwave radiation.  The reaction between the surface and the silicon-containing compound is relatively fast.  Such a silicon attachment technique is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser.  No.  11/527,662.