title: Processing and characterization of ultrathin carbon coatings on glass.
abstract: Ultrathin carbon layers, on the order of 3-6 nm in thickness, were formed on glass substrates by spin coating and pyrolysis of polymer precursors. The organic precursors used were poly(furfuryl alcohol), coal tar pitch, and a photoresist. The carbon coatings were characterized by ellipsometry, optical profilometry, water contact angle, confocal Raman spectroscopy, UV-vis spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy. We also report the transparency, hydrophobicity, friction, weathering resistance, and electrical conductivity of the carbon-coated glass. The results reveal that up to 97% transparent, ultrathin carbon films could be formed on glass substrates with a root-mean-square roughness of less than approximately 0.3 nm. This carbon layer modified the otherwise hydrophilic surface of the glass to yield a water contact angle of 85 degrees . The coatings were also found to provide a water barrier against weathering under hot and humid conditions. A 4.5-nm-thick carbon film on glass had a sheet resistance of 55.6 kOmega m and a conductivity of 40 S/cm.
authors.affiliation: Materials Research Institute, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA.
authors.forename: Hoikwan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Ramakrishnan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rajagopalan
authors.forename: Joshua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: Carlo G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Pantano