Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Daniel W. Weller, Guorong Ma, Luke A. Galuska, Song Zhang, Michael Stringer, Sophia Aracri, Weiyu Wang, Kunlun Hong, Xiaodan Gu
Summary: A new pore formation process was investigated for the manufacture of composite ultrafiltration membranes, utilizing the inherent ability of BCP to cavitate under strain for highly permeable and efficient membranes. The one-step membrane preparation process avoids tedious block removal steps. Different polymer types, molecular weights, and thicknesses influence the BCP's thin film morphology and ultimately filtration performance.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Yi-Fang Chen, Jia-Wen Hong, Jung-Hong Chang, Belda Amelia Junisu, Ya-Sen Sun
Summary: The study focused on the influence of osmotic pressure on nanostructures in thin films, particularly the impact of UV-light exposure and acetic acid rinsing on lamellae orientation and surface wrinkling. It was found that the content of added PS chains affected the formation of lamellae and perforated layers in the films. The combination of UV-light exposure and acetic acid rinsing could produce different surface morphologies and mechanical properties in the films. The use of high-molecular-weight P(S-b-MMA) BCPs could help suppress surface wrinkling in the films.
Article
Physics, Applied
Mohd Faizol Abdullah
Summary: This paper introduces the use of nanostructured black Si as a template to mitigate the dewetting of Cu thin film during high-temperature chemical vapor deposition (CVD). By evaporating Cu on SiO2/b-Si substrate, continuous monolayer graphene with large grain size and no defects can be obtained. The improved adhesion of Cu to SiO2/b-Si enables dry-transfer of graphene to other substrates by mechanical peeling.
MODERN PHYSICS LETTERS B
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Fei Yu, R. Paxton Thedford, Konrad R. Hedderick, Guillaume Freychet, Mikhail Zhernenkov, Lara A. Estroff, Katja C. Nowack, Sol M. Gruner, Ulrich B. Wiesner
Summary: Recent developments in quantum materials have shown promise in revolutionizing energy and information technologies. By utilizing block copolymers and niobia sol precursors, we successfully prepared mesoporous niobium carbonitride thin film superconductors through a scalable solution processing approach. This cost-effective and scalable method holds great potential for integration into existing microelectronics processing, combining the capabilities of soft matter self-assembly with quantum materials.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Neslihan Torun, Ilker Torun, Menekse Sakir, Mustafa Kalay, M. Serdar Onses
Summary: There is a strong demand for encoded surfaces with multiple security layers that are prepared by stochastic processes and are adaptable to deterministic fabrication approaches. Dewetting instabilities in nanoscopic polymer films present a suitable platform for fabricating unclonable surfaces, with the thermal annealing-induced dewetting of P2VP enabling fabrication of randomly positioned functional features that are separated at a microscopic length scale. The patterning of P2VP films presents opportunities for fabricating hybrid security labels, which can be resolved through both stochastic and deterministic pathways, offering key opportunities in encoding applications.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Palash Dhara, Rabibrata Mukherjee
Summary: This paper reports on the morphology, phase separation, instability, and dewetting of Polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) thin film comprising nematic liquid crystal, 4-n-pentyl-4'-cyanobiphenyl (5CB), and Polystyrene (PS). It is found that the thickness and composition of the film play a crucial role in their properties, and topographically patterned substrates can help align the phase-separated LC domains.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Maurice Brogly, Sophie Bistac, Diane Bindel
Summary: This study investigates the adsorption of PE-b-PEO block copolymer thin film on a gold substrate. The originality lies in using PM-IRRAS technology to study the conformational state of the copolymer thin film when physisorbed. The results indicate that the PEO sequences preferentially adsorb on the gold substrate, while the PE sequences are randomly distributed on the upper surface of the copolymer film.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Ki Hyun Kim, Mincheol Kim, Junsoo Moon, June Huh, Joona Bang
Summary: In this study, bottlebrush copolymers were designed as neutral additives to block copolymer (BCP) thin films, achieving vertically oriented microdomains through architectural effects. This concept could potentially be extended to various applications requiring polymer films with functional surfaces.
Article
Polymer Science
Ling-Ying Shi, Zhixiong Fei, Qian Wang, Lin Weng, Chenxiao Yin, Jinrui Sun, Zhihao Shen
Summary: Bottlebrush block copolymers (BBCPs) are intriguing architectural polymers that can produce various anisotropic nanostructures. This study presents a method for creating ordered silicon oxide patterns and particles on substrates using solvent vapor induced thin film self-assembly of BBCPs containing polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and polystyrene (PS) side chains. Different morphologies, including cylindrical or stripes-like, spherical, and ordered porous structures, as well as Janus particle-like structures, were achieved through solvent vapor annealing. The Janus particle-like structures were further transformed into meso-to-macroporous silicon oxide bowls after oxygen plasma etching. The study also discussed the effects of solvent vapor and backbone length on the self-assembly behavior of the thin film.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Zhuang-Hao Zheng, Tao Wang, Dong Yang, Bushra Jabar, Adeel Abbas, Fu Li, Yue-Xing Chen, Xian-Hu Zha, Guang-Xing Liang, Ping Fan
Summary: This study reported the fabrication of non-stoichiometric ZnSb-based thin films with high power factor and record-high thermoelectric efficiency at room temperature using magnetron cosputtering technique. By optimizing carrier concentration with Zn addition and inducing nanostructures to reduce lattice thermal conductivity, the high performance of the ZnSb thin films was achieved.
MATERIALS TODAY ENERGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hongyun Xu, Han Xiao, Christopher J. Ellison, Mahesh K. Mahanthappa
Summary: This study successfully synthesized materials with nanoporous structures through thermal cross-linking and selective chemical etching, challenging the expectation that remaining cylinders cannot form a continuous material. Scanning electron microscopy imaging revealed the interconnected nanostructures, while permeation behavior of poly(ethylene oxide) based on hydrodynamic radius directly demonstrated the continuity and size selectivity of the material.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eunkyung Ji, Cian Cummins, Guillaume Fleury
Summary: This study describes a two-step synthesis method for PLLA-b-PS BBCPs using exo-5-norbornene-2-methanol and exo-5-norbornene-2-carbonyl chloride as initiators, and demonstrates the rapid thin-film self-assembly capabilities of these BBCPs, showing potential for producing different morphologies and nanoporous templates.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Eric R. Gottlieb, Aynur Guliyeva, Thomas H. Epps
Summary: Block polymer self-assembly is a promising method for generating periodic nanostructures in thin-film applications, but challenges remain in achieving well-ordered nanopatterns and controlled domain orientations. Fundamental studies, advanced fabrication techniques, and overcoming challenges such as alignment and processing are key steps towards large-scale manufacturing of nanoscale features.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Mingyang Chen, Yuguo Chen, Yanyan Zhu, Ying Jiang, David Andelman, Xingkun Man
Summary: We investigated the influence of chain flexibility on the self-assembly behavior of symmetric diblock copolymers (BCPs) in thin film confinement. Using worm-like chain (WLC) self-consistent field theory, we studied the stability of parallel and perpendicular orientations of BCP lamellar phases under varying chain flexibilities. The results showed that the stability of perpendicular lamellae increases with chain rigidity, except for the case of rigid chains on rough substrates where the stability decreases. We also demonstrated the effect of substrate roughness on the critical value of substrate preference for the transition from perpendicular-to-parallel lamellar phases.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Gokhan Topcu, David Reinoso Arenas, Steven Huband, Tony McNally, C. Remzi Becer
Summary: A para-fluoro thiol click reaction was utilized to control the microphase separation and dielectric properties of block copolymers, providing insights on one-step control over phase and dielectric properties for the fabrication of novel polymers with advanced applications.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY C
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Xuehe Jiang, J. Benedikt Mietner, Constantin Harder, Rajesh Komban, Shouzheng Chen, Christian Strelow, Uta Sazama, Michael Froeba, Christoph Gimmler, Peter Muller-Buschbaum, Stephan V. Roth, Julien R. G. Navarro
Summary: A cellulose nanofibril-based hybrid gel material was developed by grafting polymerized stearyl acrylate (PSA) and upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) onto cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) via Cu-mediated radical polymerization (SET-LRP). The hybrid material (UCNP-PSA-CNF) showed efficient modification of the CNF with 1.8% UCNPs. The gel exhibited good viscoelasticity, shear-thinning behavior, and shape retention, making it suitable for 3D gel printing.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Nadesh Fiuza-Maneiro, Kun Sun, Iago Lopez-Fernandez, Sergio Gomez-Grana, Peter Muller-Buschbaum, Lakshminarayana Polavarapu
Summary: Lead halide perovskite nanocrystals (LHP NCs) are semiconductor materials with exceptional optical and optoelectronic properties. The surface chemistry, including ligands and surface termination, plays a crucial role in determining the optical and optoelectronic performance as well as the colloidal stability of LHP NCs. Functionalization of the surface with desired molecules can induce new functionalities, such as photocatalysis and chirality. This review provides an atomic view of the surface chemistry of colloidal LHP NCs, including crystal termination, vacancies, and different types of capping ligands, and discusses the ligand-induced functionalities.
ACS ENERGY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Xinyu Jiang, Sebastian Grott, Volker Koerstgens, Kerstin S. Wienhold, Zerui Li, Jinsheng Zhang, Christopher R. Everett, Matthias Schwartzkopf, Stephan V. Roth, Peter Mueller-Buschbaum
Summary: Slot-die coating is a promising method to commercialize organic solar cells. In this study, the film formation kinetics of a nonfullerene active layer blend of PffBT4T-2OD and EH-IDTBR was investigated using in situ grazing-incidence small angle X-ray scattering and UV-vis spectroscopy. A mesoscale domain growth process with distinct molecular stacking and aggregation behavior was observed during solvent evaporation. The printed active layers exhibited specific crystallite structures dominated by PffBT4T-2OD and EH-IDTBR.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Hongmei Zhu, Qingqian Wang, Kun Sun, Wei Chen, Jun Tang, Junjie Hao, Zhaojin Wang, Jiayun Sun, Wallace C. H. Choy, Peter Muller-Buschbaum, Xiao Wei Sun, Dan Wu, Kai Wang
Summary: The chirality of 2D chiral perovskite films has been significantly enhanced by a solvent modulation strategy, leading to the formation of CPL-active materials. By creating chiral perovskite/quantum dot composites, an increase in the CPL intensity was observed, attributed to the generation and transportation of spin-polarized charge carriers as well as the enlarged lattice distortion of the chiral perovskite films achieved through solvent modulation. This approach provides an effective way to construct CPL-active materials.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Kun Wang, Jiangwei Huo, Li Cao, Peihui Yang, Peter Muller-Buschbaum, Yu Tong, Hongqiang Wang
Summary: Researchers have developed a strategy to fabricate high-quality alpha-FAPbI3 perovskite films and inverted PSCs under open air conditions with a relative humidity of 60+/-10%. They incorporated phenylethylammonium iodide (PEAI) to inhibit the decomposition and phase transition of FAPbI3 and improve its crystallinity, resulting in enhanced power conversion efficiency and long-term stability of the PSCs.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Cristiane Henschel, Dirk Schanzenbach, Andre Laschewsky, Chia-Hsin Ko, Christine M. Papadakis, Peter Mueller-Buschbaum
Summary: Sets of nonionic polymers pNVIBAm and pNIPMAm with molar mass from 20,000 to 150,000 kg mol-1 are synthesized by radical polymerization, and their thermoresponsive and solvent-responsive behaviors in aqueous solution are studied. Both polymers exhibit a rare type II lower critical solution temperature (LCST), similar to well-studied pNIPAm. Additionally, both polymers display co-nonsolvency behavior in mixtures of water with various co-solvents, but the co-nonsolvency becomes less pronounced in the order pNIPAm > pNVIBAm > pNIPMAm. Notably, pNIPMAm does not exhibit co-nonsolvency in mixtures of water and N,N-dimethylformamide.
COLLOID AND POLYMER SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Hongye Dong, Guibin Shen, Yuqin Zou, Yiyi Li, Zhichao Lin, Qingbin Cai, Xiangning Xu, Qili Song, Hairui Duan, Peter Mueller-Buschbaum, Cheng Mu
Summary: In this study, engineered components of metformin halides were introduced into the bulk and surface of perovskite layers in perovskite solar cells (PSCs), leading to synergistic defect passivation. The bulk addition of metformin hydrochloride influenced the orientation distribution of perovskite crystals and contributed to better perovskite films, while the modification of metformin iodide treated residual defects on the surface of perovskite films. The synergistically passivated PSCs exhibited an improved power conversion efficiency (PCE) and excellent thermal and humidity stabilities.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2023)
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
F. Voegl, L. Balacescu, O. Holderer, S. Pasini, S. Staringer, G. Brandl, V. Ossovyi, H. Feilbach, P. Mueller-Buschbaum, A. M. Stadler, J. Fitter, T. E. Schrader
Summary: A new sample environment called Bio-Oven has been developed for the Neutron Spin Echo (NSE) Spectrometer J-NSE Phoenix, allowing active temperature control and the capability to perform Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) measurements along with neutron measurements. The Bio-Oven utilizes optical fibers to decouple the free space optics from the laser sources and detectors, enabling simultaneous collection of light from three scattering angles. Test experiments with silica nanoparticles and apomyoglobin protein sample demonstrated the effectiveness of in situ DLS in monitoring the aggregation state during neutron measurements.
REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Dominik M. Schwaiger, Wiebke Lohstroh, Marcell Wolf, Christopher J. Garvey, Peter Mueller-Buschbaum
Summary: Blending PTB7 and PCBM films with binary solvent additive DIO:DPE accelerates the degradation of the films, but the removal of the additives at higher annealing temperature can restore the stability to the level of the pristine blend films, which is promising for photovoltaic applications.
JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Panpan Zhang, Xuan Zhang, Lucas P. P. Kreuzer, Dominik M. M. Schwaiger, Min Lu, Robert Cubitt, Qi Zhong, Peter Mueller-Buschbaum
Summary: The kinetics of UV radiation-induced collapse and recovery in thermally cycled and rehydrated double-responsive copolymer films were studied using in situ neutron reflectivity. The thermal treatment of the film above its transition temperature followed by rapid cooling induced rehydration of the collapsed film. The rehydration process consisted of D2O absorption, chain rearrangement, and film reswelling. UV irradiation-induced collapse and recovery processes were slower in films with thermal stimulus history, suggesting the importance of considering the thermal history in the design of sensors and detectors based on double-responsive copolymer films.
Article
Polymer Science
Chia-Hsin Ko, Cristiane Henschel, Geethu P. Meledam, Martin A. Schroer, Renjun Guo, Peter Mueller-Buschbaum, Andre Laschewsky, Christine M. Papadakis
Summary: This study reveals that the micellar structures of PMMA-b-PNIPAM diblock copolymers in aqueous solution can be controlled by varying the content of methanol. The methanol content strongly influences the size, aggregation number, shell thickness, and interactions of the micelles.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Marie Betker, Constantin Harder, Elisabeth Erbes, Julian Eliah Heger, Alexandros Efraim Alexakis, Benedikt Sochor, Qing Chen, Matthias Schwartzkopf, Volker Koerstgens, Peter Mueller-Buschbaum, Konrad Schneider, Simone Agnes Techert, L. Daniel Soderberg, Stephan V. Roth
Summary: In this study, researchers evaluate the suitability of two types of inks containing silver nanowires for the fabrication of cellulose-based silver nanowire electrodes. The results show that the ink containing cellulose nanofibrils has lower sheet resistance, lower surface roughness, shorter fabrication time, and better mechanical and long-term stability compared to the other type of ink. The mixed ink of silver nanowires and cellulose nanofibrils is found to be suitable for the fast fabrication of highly conductive organic nanoelectronics on an industrial scale.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Neng Hu, Bin Hong, Xuefeng Yan, Hao Wu, Qi Zhong, Dongming Qi, Weijia Wang, Lin Lei, Huiqing Fan, Peter Mueller-Buschbaum
Summary: Inspired by Chinese wood oil coating on umbrella, the study developed a hybrid hydrogel-based UV radiation monitor by coating an ionic polymer layer onto the hydrogels. The monitor can trace the solar UV radiation dose in water environments by monitoring the discoloration extent of dyed hybrid hydrogels. The hybrid hydrogels are synthesized by introducing g-C3N4 nanosheets into the hydrogels. The coated hybrid hydrogels show excellent resistance against dye leakage and are suitable for wearable devices to monitor skin health in aqueous environments under sunshine.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ruijie Ma, Xinyu Jiang, Jiehao Fu, Tao Zhu, Cenqi Yan, Kexin Wu, Peter Mueller-Buschbaum, Gang Li
Summary: The morphological features and film formation processes of high-performance donor-acceptor binary photovoltaic blends using three representative solvents are investigated. It is found that the solvent used has a significant effect on the efficiency of the PM6:L8-BO system, while the PM6:eC9 system is less influenced by the solvent. The in situ and ex situ studies reveal the reasons behind the observed differences and provide insights into the optimization of organic solar cells.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ming Yang, Peng Chen, Jiapei Li, Ruoxuan Qi, Yudai Huang, Peter Mueller-Buschbaum, Ya-Jun Cheng, Kunkun Guo, Yonggao Xia
Summary: Silicon oxide (SiOx) is a promising anode material for high-energy lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to its abundant reserves, facile synthesis, and high theoretical capacity. However, its practical use is limited by poor cycling stability caused by volume change during lithiation/delithiation. The use of a waterborne poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) binder enriched with an organic solvent (DMF) improves the performance of SiOx-based anodes in terms of capacity retention and rate capacity, enabling its practical application in both half-cell and full-cell configurations.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2023)
