Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yingying Liu, Haowen Wu, Haifeng Zhang, Jixiao Wang, Zhi Wang
Summary: This study investigates the physicochemical properties of molecular layer-by-layer (mLbL) PA films used in reverse osmosis (RO) application. The film growth is found to be influenced by the ratio of m-phenylenediamine (MPD) to trimesoyl chloride (TMC), with higher ratios resulting in faster growth and better crosslinking. The deposition process leads to uneven distribution of monomers and the formation of nodules on the film surface. Additionally, the properties of the mLbL PA film are compared to interfacial polymerization (IP) membranes, providing insights into IP.
Article
Polymer Science
Olivia M. McIntee, Brian C. Welch, Alan R. Greenberg, Steven M. George, Victor M. Bright
Summary: Molecular layer deposition (MLD) is a gas-phase deposition technique that can create ultra-thin films with controlled composition and thickness. In this study, MLD was used to fabricate crosslinked polyamide films, and their elastic modulus was determined using atomic force microscopy. The results showed that the modulus was independent of film thickness, comparable to thicker polyamide films.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Wenbin Yuan, Yuqi Xu, Tao Ding, Qiushi Wang, Zhufeng Shao, Min Zhong
Summary: In this study, high-quality Cs3Bi2I9 films were successfully deposited using a vapor transport deposition approach with a mixture of CsI and BiI3 crystal powders as evaporation sources. The Cs3Bi2I9 solar cell achieved a maximum power conversion efficiency of 1.52% and showed good stability during one month of storage in air without encapsulation. This work provides a new route to deposit inorganic perovskite films with promising applications in solar cells and photodetectors.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Christopher M. Stafford, Xun Guan, Yarong Qi, Yue Zhang, Xitong Liu
Summary: Molecular layer-by-layer (mLbL) deposition allows for flexible control over the properties of polyamide-based membranes, including thickness, roughness, and chemistry of the selective layer. Surface chemistry can be tailored through termination reactions to create surfaces rich in specific functional groups. Surface wettability and adhesion can be measured using pH-dependent contact angle and carboxylate-modified colloidal probe AFM. This research enables the disentanglement of surface chemistry and roughness contributions to the overall performance and fouling of polyamide-based membranes.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Ming-Hung Tseng, Dung-Yue Su, Guan-Lun Chen, Feng-Yu Tsai
Summary: The nanolaminated polymer/metal oxide stretchable moisture-barrier films fabricated by a novel ALD/MLD process demonstrate high tolerance against mechanical strain and minimize moisture-induced swelling, making them a significant breakthrough for wearable/flexible electronics technologies.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Juan Santo Domingo Penaranda, Mikko Nisula, Sofie S. T. Vandenbroucke, Matthias M. Minjauw, Jin Li, Andreas Werbrouck, Jonas Keukelier, Andrea I. Pitillas Martinez, Jolien Dendooven, Christophe Detavernier
Summary: Alucones have been successfully synthesized through alternating alucone MLD growth with static O-2 plasma exposures, resulting in a bilayer structure that remains stable in air. Plasma treatment densifies the top part of the alucone into Al2O3 while preserving the original alucone features and creating an intermediate carboxylate at the interface. The process has potential for encapsulation applications and thickness preservation after densification.
DALTON TRANSACTIONS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Xuerong Shui, Jiaqi Li, Mengxiao Zhang, Chuanjie Fang, Liping Zhu
Summary: A new molecular layer-by-layer deposition approach was developed to tailor thin-film composite membranes for organic solvent nanofiltration, resulting in membranes with exceptional solvent permeabilities and high rejection towards specific molecules. These membranes showed high microporosity and excellent solvent and pressure resistance, providing a new alternative for preparing high-performance TFC OSN membranes.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Mona A. A. Mohaseba, Ahmed A. A. Aboud
Summary: This study investigated the impact of lead concentration (0-1 wt%) on the physical properties and photo-detection properties of zinc oxide thin films. All films were deposited using Aerosol Assisted Chemical Vapor Deposition (AACVD) techniques and characterized through various methods. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed the formation of single-phase hexagonal ZnO thin films with preferred orientation changes at a Pb concentration of 0.5wt%. The formation of nano-rods was observed in films prepared with 0.5 and 1wt% lead. The band gap values increased with increased Pb doping. The deposited films exhibited high sensitivity to UV light after long exposure.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE-MATERIALS IN ELECTRONICS
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Jian-Jun He, Hai-Xia Yang, Feng Zheng, Shi-Yong Yang
Summary: Fluorinated aromatic polyimide (FAPI) films with rigid polymer backbones were prepared by chemical imidization approach. These films exhibited excellent mechanical properties, thermal stability, and transparency, as well as stable electrical properties in high frequency range.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Maoxiang Zhu, Sofiane Achache, Melanie Emo, Alejandro Borroto Ramirez, Jean-Francois Pierson, Frederic Sanchette
Summary: This study investigates the nucleation and growth of alumina films on Ti(C,N)-based layers using an industrial-scale CVD system. It is found that the deposition of Al2O3 layer without nucleation treatment results in pure alpha-Al2O3, while no orientation relationship is observed at the Ti(C,N)/alpha-Al2O3 interface. However, when the Al2O3 layer is deposited on a bonding layer consisting of rutile TiO2, alpha-Al2O3 single-phased layer is obtained with epitaxial growth on rutile. Furthermore, when the Al2O3 layer is deposited on a bonding layer produced from a TiCl4-H2-N-2-CH4-CO-AlCl3 gas mixture, kappa-Al2O3 is epitaxially grown on Ti(C,N). The nucleation of alpha-Al2O3 and kappa-Al2O3 can be accurately controlled by depositing specific bonding layers.
MATERIALS & DESIGN
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Tawanda J. Zimudzi, Sarah E. Sheffield, Kathleen E. Feldman, Peter A. Beaucage, Dean M. DeLongchamp, Douglas Kushner, Christopher M. Stafford, Michael A. Hickner
Summary: The orientation of polyamide thin films on nonporous substrates was investigated using FTIR spectroscopy and NEXAFS measurements. As the number of cycles increases, the orientation of the films gradually becomes isotropic.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Zeming Sun, Mingqi Ge, James T. Maniscalco, Victor Arrieta, Shawn R. McNeal, Matthias U. Liepe
Summary: Combining chemical vapor deposition (CVD) with electrochemical polish (EP) operation is a promising method for producing performance-capable superconducting films. This study investigated the surface characteristics of CVD-grown and EP-polished niobium (Nb) films and found that EP effectively reduces surface roughness. The results suggest a dependence of EP on crystal orientation, providing insights for further optimization of film-based applications.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Shengchao Zhao, Kuo Chen, Yuhui Niu, Bingbing Yuan, Chi Jiang, Ming Wang, Peng Li, Yingfei Hou, Haixiang Sun, Daohong Xia, Jason Niu
Summary: This study resolves the problem of ArPD dissolution by using the DMF/H2O system and elucidates the behavioral differences of ArPD for different generations in film-forming. The separation performance of ArPD-based membranes is significantly improved by employing a patching strategy. The repaired membranes show excellent performance in the removal of small organics in an organic solvent system.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Shaozhong Chang, Jiabin Fang, Kai Liu, Zihan Shen, Lin Zhu, Xin Jin, Xuejin Zhang, Chaoquan Hu, Huigang Zhang, Ai-dong Li
Summary: By using molecular layer deposition (MLD) technology, the research team conformedly fabricated zincone (ZnHQ) on 3D copper nanowires (CuNWs), forming a stable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), which improves the Coulombic efficiency and inhibits dendritic growth of lithium metal anodes, resulting in excellent cyclability.
ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Robert N. Enright, Laura C. Bradley
Summary: Materials with complex curvature and micro-structured surface topography can replicate surfaces observed in nature. The self-wrinkling process allows polymer films to grow on 3D substrates, mimicking natural processes more closely. The amount of compressive stress can be controlled by changing deposition conditions. The wrinkle roundness increases with interface curvature on liquid substrates. The choice of wrinkle pattern can be directed by stress concentration or substrate curvature. The lowest energy ridge wrinkle state on the inside of a torus is oriented around the major axis. Controlling the substrate shape allows for the generation of materials with contrived surface topography.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
H. Alex Hsain, Younghwan Lee, Suzanne Lancaster, Patrick D. Lomenzo, Bohan Xu, Thomas Mikolajick, Uwe Schroeder, Gregory N. Parsons, Jacob L. Jones
Summary: By inserting a 1 nm Al2O3 layer at the HZO/TiN interface, a protective passivating layer is introduced, resulting in improved remanent polarization and endurance of TiN/HZO/TiN capacitors.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Hwan Oh, Jung-Sik Kim, Hannah R. M. Margavio, Gregory N. Parsons
Summary: In this work, the researchers successfully achieved multi-material ASD by sequentially combining two intrinsic ASD processes. They also found that the properties of PEDOT and W ASD materials are affected by the ASD sequence. Additionally, they demonstrated the feasibility of orthogonal ASD at the nanoscale and showed that the PEDOT layer can control the lateral growth of W onto the non-growth surface.
CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Rachel A. Nye, Kaat Van Dongen, Danilo De Simone, Hironori Oka, Gregory N. Parsons, Annelies Delabie
Summary: Extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography is crucial for next-generation technology, but the low etch resistance of conventional organic EUV resists leads to poor resolution. This study combines area-selective deposition (ASD) with EUV resists to create resist hardening or tone inverting layers for improved resolution. Different scenarios for selective deposition are achieved by tuning the polymer structure and functionality. Results show promise for tone inversion using cyclohexyl protecting group and resist hardening using tert-butyl protecting group. Inhibitors are also integrated to further broaden applications. This work establishes an important baseline for using ASD on organic resists to improve EUV pattern resolution.
CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Coatings & Films
Jan-Willem J. Clerix, Golnaz Dianat, Annelies Delabie, Gregory N. Parsons
Summary: This study investigates the adsorption of DMATMS on SiO2 and the subsequent reactions during TiCl4/H2O ALD. It is found that DMATMS selectively reacts with -OH groups on SiO2 and inhibits the reaction with TiCl4. Additionally, DMATMS can also react with residual -OH groups and reduce nucleation. The effectiveness of DMATMS passivation on SiO2 and H-terminated Si is quantified using Rutherford backscattering spectrometry.
JOURNAL OF VACUUM SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY A
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Coatings & Films
Holger Saare, Wenyi Xie, Gregory N. Parsons
Summary: Recent advances in the semiconductor industry have led to the demand for conformal deposition and etching processes in three-dimensional devices. This study investigates thermal atomic layer etching (ALE) of TiO2 and ZrO2 using different co-reactants. The results show that the choice of co-reactant affects the saturation and etch rates at different temperatures. The study expands the understanding of co-etchants' role in thermal ALE and increases the range of reactants for vapor etching of metal oxides.
JOURNAL OF VACUUM SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY A
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Rachel A. A. Nye, Kaat Van Dongen, Jean-Francois de Marneffe, Gregory N. N. Parsons, Annelies Delabie
Summary: Area-selective deposition (ASD) has potential for sub-10 nm manufacturing, but scaling to ultrasmall dimensions and understanding feature-dependent nonuniformity and selectivity loss remains challenging. This work addresses these challenges by quantifying uniformity and selectivity for passivation/deposition/etch supercycles in 45 nm half-pitch TiN/SiO2 line/space patterns. Three selective processes were used: DMA-TMS inhibition, TiO2 ALD, and HBr/BCl3 plasma etch. By employing three supercycles, this work achieves 8 nm of TiO2 with high uniformity and selectivity, improving on previous reports in similar nanoscale patterns. Integrated consideration of uniformity and selectivity will aid the design of selective deposition processes for nanoscale electronic devices.
ADVANCED MATERIALS INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ethan J. Frey, Sooik Im, Adam L. Bachmann, Jan Genzer, Michael D. Dickey
Summary: Liquid metal-carbon composite films were fabricated by adding poly(amic acid) (PAA) to eutectic gallium-indium (EGaIn) particle films prior to laser processing. The addition of PAA decreased the required laser power for sintering, resulted in a liquid metal-carbon composite, helped remove unsintered regions, and increased surface area. The conductive films showed high stretchability and strain-invariant resistance up to a certain strain level. However, the films exhibited high reactivity with water molecules in the air, leading to an increase in resistance over time in humid conditions.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Zvikomborero Machikiti, Behnam Pourdeyhimi, Jan Genzer, Kirill Efimenko
Summary: Polymer-polymer adhesion plays a crucial role in polymer processing and applications involving lamination, welding, composites, blending, and coextrusion. PET/PA pairs are commonly used to produce bicomponent fibers, but the strong adhesion limits post-production processing. A method using a POMA alternating copolymer was developed to control adhesion by modifying the interface or adding it into the PET phase. The introduction of POMA reduced the interfacial adhesion strength between PET and polyamides.
INDUSTRIAL & ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Sarah E. E. Morgan, Carwynn D. D. Rivera, Morgan L. L. Willis, Gregory W. W. Peterson, John J. J. Mahle, Laura Mundy, Gregory N. N. Parsons
Summary: Metal-organic framework (MOF) fabric composites combine important MOF chemistry with flexible, strong fabric substrates and have various applications. This study investigates the relationship between process parameters, MOF properties, and MOF performance for UiO-66-NH2 fabric composites. It was found that the number of SVS cycles significantly impacted the performance of the MOF-fabrics.
INDUSTRIAL & ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sipan Liu, Chenxi Sui, Myers Harbinson, Michael Pudlo, Himendra Perera, Zhenzhen Zhang, Ruguan Liu, Zahyun Ku, Md Didarul Islam, Yuxuan Liu, Ronghui Wu, Yong Zhu, Jan Genzer, Saad A. Khan, Po-Chun Hsu, Jong Eun Ryu
Summary: We have successfully fabricated spike microstructured photonic nanocomposite coatings using a rapid, low-cost, template-free roll-to-roll method. These coatings possess high solar reflectivity (>94%) and thermal emissivity (97.0%), and can achieve subambient radiative cooling during daytime under strong direct sunlight. When facing direct sunlight in the spring of Chicago, the coatings show a radiative cooling power of 39.1 W/m(2), and have a potential energy-saving capability of 14.4%.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sooik Im, Ethan Frey, Daniel J. Lacks, Jan Genzer, Michael D. Dickey
Summary: This paper demonstrates that air-stable radicals enhance the stability of triboelectric charge on surfaces. The charge retention is shown to increase with hydrophobicity, but the most prolonged charge retention is observed in surfaces treated with TEMPO, which are more hydrophilic. The charge retention decreases with reducing radical density by etching the TEMPO-silane or scavenging the radicals.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Scott McGuigan, Stephen J. Tereniak, Carrie L. Donley, Avery Smith, Sungho Jeon, Fengyi Zhao, Renato N. Sampaio, Magnus Pauly, Landon Keller, Leonard Collins, Gregory N. Parsons, Tianquan Lian, Eric A. Stach, Paul A. Maggard
Summary: This study presents a functional hybrid photocatalyst system using a crystalline carbon nitride semiconductor, poly(triazine imide) lithium chloride (PTI-LiCl), and a CoCl2(qpy-Ph-COOH) catalyst for CO2 reduction. The optimized catalyst loading achieved high rates and selectivity for CO production, which were further improved by increasing the incident irradiance. Higher surface loadings were found to extend the lifetime of the molecular catalysts.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Bradley A. Davis, Jan Genzer, Kirill Efimenko, Milad Abolhasani
Summary: This study presents a versatile network-supported palladium catalyst for continuous synthesis of complex organic compounds. By using a hybrid polymer, the catalytic system achieves optimized performance in the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling and nitroarene hydrogenation reactions. The system shows high activity, mechanical stability, and reusability, with improved reaction yields and environmentally-friendly solvent usage, making it suitable for industrial applications.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Vahid Rahmanian, Muhammed Ziauddin Ahmad Ebrahim, Seyedamin Razavi, Mai Abdelmigeed, Eduardo Barbieri, Stefano Menegatti, Gregory N. Parsons, Fanxing Li, Tahira Pirzada, Saad A. Khan
Summary: This study presents a novel method for synthesizing metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) on 3D-structured nanofibrous aerogels (NFAs). The resulting hybrid aerogels exhibit promising applications in CO2 adsorption, heavy metal removal, and antibacterial properties.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2023)
