Hybrid thin films containing N,N′-bis(2-phosphonoethyl)-1,4,5,8-naphthalenediimide
(PNDI)
and zinc cations (PNDI/Zn films) were built on silicon and indium
tin oxide (ITO) substrates by a simple layer-by-layer deposition process.
Silicon substrates primed with a layer of phosphonate groups were
immersed alternately into zinc nitrate and PNDI aqueous solutions,
yielding PNDI/Zn films containing up to 40 layers. ITO substrates,
on the other hand, were used without priming, and the deposition sequence
began with a PNDI layer. All film growth steps were conducted at room
temperature, using aqueous solutions, thus assuring an environmentally
clean process. The PNDI/Zn films were studied by X-ray reflectivity
and grazing angle X-ray diffraction, using synchrotron radiation source.
The films were constituted by crystallites, containing zinc phosphonate
layers oriented nearly parallel to the substrate. PNDI/Zn films on
ITO were reduced to stable free radicals, which were observed by UV–visible
spectroscopy. Moreover, PNDI/Zn bulk materials with structural analogy
with the films were produced.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.