title: Automated spin-assisted layer-by-layer assembly of nanocomposites.
abstract: We present the design and verification of a desktop system for the automated production of nanostructured thin films via spin-assisted layer-by-layer (spin-LBL) assembly. The utility of this system is demonstrated by fabricating polyvinyl alcohol/clay nanocomposites. Ellipsometry measurements demonstrate that the automated spin-LBL method creates composites with bilayer thickness and growth rate comparable to traditional dip-LBL; however, the cycle time of the spin-LBL method is an order of magnitude faster. Small angle X-ray scattering analysis shows that the clay platelets in spin-LBL nanocomposites are more highly aligned than in dip-LBL composites. This method can significantly increase the throughput of laboratory-scale LBL discovery and processing, can enable testing of functional properties of LBL nanocomposites over wafer-scale areas, and can be scaled to larger substrates for commercial production.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA.
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vozar
authors.forename: Yeh-Chuin
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Poh
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Serbowicz
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bachner
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Podsiadlo
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Qin
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Verploegen
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kotov
authors.forename: A John
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Hart
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption; D002498:Centrifugation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D017022:Flow Injection Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012371:Robotics / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D008567:Membranes, Artificial