A new programmable dipping robot

Abstract

A new dipping robot is presented for the execution of layer‐by‐layer (LbL) deposition procedures for the modification of electrode surfaces. It is composed of low‐budget parts broadly available three‐dimensional (3D) printer. New extra hardware components produced by 3D printing and the open‐source software can turn such a device into a flexible dipping robot. The required changes in code as well as the printing instructions for the changed hardware components are documented and are made freely available together with tools that allow customizing LbL coating processes. The potential of this very flexible instrumentation is exemplified by a redox‐active film of nickel hexacyanoferrate on a gold electrode modified by a monolayer of 3′‐mercaptobiphenyl‐carbonitrile. Scanning electron microscopy confirm the absence of micometer‐sized cracks. It shows the typical voltammetric behavior of that material.

Unidirectional Current in Layered Metal Hexacyanometallate Thin Films: Implication for Alternative Wet-Processed Electronic Materials

“…Ni-HCF-layered materials were obtained by LbL deposition 42 from aqueous 20 mmol L −1 NiCl 2 and aqueous 20 mmol L −1 K 3 [Fe(CN) 6 ] solutions. The samples were exposed to each solution for 20 min.…”

“…The change in valence state causes a decrease of the solubility product and may lead to precipitation of M 1 -HCM 2 materials directly on the electrode surface . There are also other film preparation methods (e.g., layer-by-layer (LbL) deposition , and vapor-assisted conversion) that result in films directly on a substrate. Precipitation methods may yield nanoparticles or powders. , …”