An automated spin-assisted approach for molecular layer-by-layer assembly of crosslinked polymer thin films

Published

November 28, 2012

Author(s)

Edwin P. Chan, Jung-Hyun Lee, Jun-Young Chung, Christopher M. Stafford

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 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 creates films with constant film growth rates 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 of the mLbL assembly.

Citation

Review of Scientific Instruments

Volume

83

Issue

11

Pub Type

Journals

Keywords

molecular layer-by-layer, membranes, polymer thin films

Citation

Chan, E. , Lee, J. , Chung, J. and Stafford, C. (2012), An automated spin-assisted approach for molecular layer-by-layer assembly of crosslinked polymer thin films, Review of Scientific Instruments (Accessed July 17, 2024)