Electrospray deposition (ESD) is a versatile micro-/nanocoating technology that utilizes the competition between the surface charge of a droplet and its surface tension to create monodisperse generations of micro-/nanodroplets. ESD can deposit uniform thin films by including dilute solutes in these droplets. One mode of ESD, self-limiting ESD (SLED), has been shown to exist when glassy polymers are sprayed in a volatile solvent below the polymer glass-transition temperature (T g). This leads to charge accumulation on the coating surface that slows the growth of the film thickness. Since solutes can be easily blended in dilute ESD solutions, we investigate the SLED limits of self-limiting and non-self-limiting solute blends. As a motivating application, we focus on the mechanical properties of the films. Specifically, we blend self-limiting polystyrene and SU-8 epoxy resin with different non-self-limiting mechanical modifiers, such as plasticizers and curing agents. To characterize the resulting morphologies and mechanical properties, we employ scanning electron microscopy and nanoindentation of the as-received porous and thermally smoothed films. The results illustrate the formation of composited polymers that exhibit self-limiting ability by SLED, depending on the interaction between the two components. Furthermore, mechanical properties could be effectively fine-tuned within these compositional ranges. This signifies that the 3D coating capabilities available through SLED can be enhanced by incorporating additional functionalities and properties beyond the base matrix.
Electrospray deposition (ESD) is a versatile micro/nano coating technology that utilizes the competition between surface charge of a droplet and its surface tension to create monodisperse generations of micro/nano droplets. ESD can deposit uniform thin films by including dilute solutes in these droplets. One mode of ESD, self-limiting electrospray deposition (SLED), has been shown to exist when glassy polymers are sprayed in a volatile solvent below the polymer glass transition temperature (Tg). This leads to charge accumulation on the coating surface that slows the growth of the film thickness. Since solutes can be easily blended in dilute ESD solutions, we investigate the SLED limits of self-limiting and non-self-limiting solute blends. As a motivating application, we focus on mechanical properties of the film. Specifically, we blend self-limiting polystyrene (PS) and SU-8 epoxy resin with different non-self-limiting mechanical modifiers, such as plasticizers and curing agents. To characterize the resulting morphologies and mechanical properties, we employ scanning electron microscopy and nanoindentation of as received and smoothed films. The results illustrate the formation of composited polymers that exhibit self-limiting ability by SLED, depending on the interaction between the two components. Further, mechanical properties could be effectively fine-tuned within these compositional ranges. This signifies the 3D coating capabilities through SLED can be implemented incorporating additional functionalities and properties beyond the base matrix.
Electrospray deposition (ESD) is a versatile micro/nano coating technology that utilizes the competition between surface charge of a droplet and its surface tension to create monodisperse generations of micro/nano droplets. ESD can deposit uniform thin films by including dilute solutes in these droplets. One mode of ESD, self-limiting electrospray deposition (SLED), has been shown to exist when glassy polymers are sprayed in a volatile solvent below the polymer glass transition temperature (Tg). This leads to charge accumulation on the coating surface that slows the growth of the film thickness. Since solutes can be easily blended in dilute ESD solutions, we investigate the SLED limits of self-limiting and non-self-limiting solute blends. As a motivating application, we focus on mechanical properties of the film. Specifically, we blend self-limiting polystyrene (PS) and SU-8 epoxy resin with different non-self-limiting mechanical modifiers, such as plasticizers and curing agents. To characterize the resulting morphologies and mechanical properties, we employ scanning electron microscopy and nanoindentation of as received and smoothed films. The results illustrate the formation of composited polymers that exhibit self-limiting ability by SLED, depending on the interaction between the two components. Further, mechanical properties could be effectively fine-tuned within these compositional ranges. This signifies the 3D coating capabilities through SLED can be implemented incorporating additional functionalities and properties beyond the base matrix.
We establish a sample- and data-processing pipeline that allows for high-throughput measurement optical microscope measurement of porous films, provided that the film is sufficiently optically scattering. Here, self-limiting electrospray deposition (SLED) is used to manufacture scattering films of different morphologies. This technique compensates for the scattering of the films through background subtraction of the reflection image with the transmission image. This process is implemented through a combination ImageJ-MATLAB data pipeline; the Canny edge-detector is used as the image-processing algorithm to identify boundaries of the film. We verify this process against manually measured images; a comparative study between cross-sectional scanning electron microscopy (where scattering effects are diminished) and optical microscopy also verifies that our optical microscopy technique can be used to consistently, non-destructively measure film thickness regardless of film morphology. In addition, this technique can be used in combination with dense film measurements to measure film porosity.
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.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.