Automated spin-assisted layer-by-layer assembly of nanocomposites.
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.
Vozar
Steven
S
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA.
Poh
Yeh-Chuin
YC
Serbowicz
Thomas
T
Bachner
Matthew
M
Podsiadlo
Paul
P
Qin
Ming
M
Verploegen
Eric
E
Kotov
Nicholas
N
Hart
A John
AJ
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
D008567:Membranes, Artificial