title: An automated spin-assisted approach for molecular layer-by-layer assembly of crosslinked polymer thin films.
abstract: We present the design of an automated spin-coater that facilitates fabrication of polymer films based on molecular layer-by-layer (mLbL) assembly. Specifically, we demonstrate the synthesis of ultrathin crosslinked fully-aromatic polyamide (PA) films that are chemically identical to polymer membranes used in water desalination applications as measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. X-ray reflectivity measurements indicate that the automated mLbL assembly creates films with a constant film growth rate and minimal roughness compared with the traditional interfacial polymerization of PA. This automated spin-coater improves the scalability and sample-to-sample consistency by reducing human involvement in the mLbL assembly.
authors.affiliation: Polymers Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, USA.
authors.forename: Edwin P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Jung-Hyun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jun Young
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Christopher M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Stafford