Fast, simple and efficient assembly of nanolayered materials and devices.
A new method of 'directed' self-assembly is demonstrated that has the potential to simply and quickly build nanostructured materials and devices. Called spin-spray layer-by-layer self-assembly (SSLbL), it is a modification of the well-known layer-by-layer method (LbL). Using SSLbL, it is possible to create and stack nanometre-thick, uniform layers containing a wide variety of different polymers, nanoparticles, or colloids in less than 25 s per bilayer, orders of magnitude faster than traditional LbL. This is done by modifying traditional dipping LbL to a system where carefully chosen volumes of polymer or colloidal solutions are sprayed directly on a rotating substrate. SSLbL is also much less wasteful of valuable nanoparticles and polymers than LbL. It is shown that in contrast to less than 1% material usage found in LbL, SSLbL has material usage efficiency up to 50%, and this can be further improved. Another direct result of the spin-spray modification is simple control of the in-plane structure of nanolayered films using masks, which is demonstrated. Such capability opens up the possibility of simply and inexpensively building complete nanocomposite devices with both vertical and lateral organization.
School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.
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