Home > Press > Molecular Layer Deposition: building hybrid materials one layer at at time
 |
| http://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/adfm.201200370|Link to the original paper on Wiley Online Library: |
Abstract:
As the applications of nanotechnology grow more sophisticated, the controlled deposition of exceedingly thin layers of materials becomes of ever growing importance. A well-known technique called atomic layer deposition (ALD) can meet this challenge quite well for the deposition of thin inorganic oxide films.
Molecular Layer Deposition: building hybrid materials one layer at at time
Germany | Posted on September 13th, 2012
Using this method, films can be deposited one atomic layer at a time, as if meticulously built up by a nanometer-sized bricklayer. Each deposition step uses a metal-organic precursor, and the remaining organic ligands are subsequently burnt off leaving only the inorganic film as well as preparing the surface for the next deposition step.
In its traditional method of application, it would seem that there is no chance to incorporate organic components into such films with ALD. However, Professor Steven George and co-workers have written a short review on an emerging technique called Molecular Layer Deposition (MLD), where hybrid materials can be fabricated using an adaption of conventional ALD. This new method promises open up a whole new array of possibilities for surface scientists, by adding a new degree of flexibility to thin film preparation.
In its most common form, MLD can be used to make self-limiting, conformal, pinhole-free films of metal-organic materials called metalcones. The first example of this sort was the synthesis of "alucones" (aluminum-containing metalcones) from trimethylaluminum and ethylene glycol, as illustrated in the accompanying image above. Based upon this methodology, there is a great deal of flexibility for altering the metal as well as the organic ligand in order to fabricate hybrid thin films with customized properties. By mixing the precursors for oxide growth using ALD with those used for MLD, one can also tune the degree of incorporation of the organic component in the films.
Using this method, researchers have already tuned the elastic modulus of thin films for mechanical applications, the refractive index for optical applications, and the electrical conductivity for electronic applications. All of this means that one can tailor the properties of a surface coating "made to order". The films can then be used as is, or the organic component can alternatively be burnt off to create a material with tailored porosity for applications such as catalysis. With such a degree of tunability, the possibilities are virtually endless, as Molecular Layer Deposition helps to change the face of nanomaterials, one layer at a time.
####
For more information, please click here
Copyright © Wiley-VCH Materials Science Journals
If you have a comment, please
Contact us.
Issuers of news releases, not 7th Wave, Inc. or Nanotechnology Now, are solely responsible for the accuracy of the content.
Bookmark:
News and information
Less is More: Novel Cellulose Structure Requires Fewer Enzymes to Process Biomass to Fuel June 19th, 2013
Sound waves precisely position nanowires June 19th, 2013
Scientists Use Nanotechnology to Increase Thermal Stability of Essential Oils June 19th, 2013
Production of Bioactive Material for Quick Treatment of Bone Damages June 19th, 2013
Thin films
3-D printing could lead to tiny medical implants, electronics, robots, more June 18th, 2013
Beneq’s comprehensive industrial Thin Film Coating Services shorten time to market June 18th, 2013
Filmmaking magic with polymers June 12th, 2013
Chemistry
Pioneering breakthrough of chemical nanoengineering to design drugs controlled by light June 18th, 2013
New Method to Synthesize Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles with High Catalytic Activity June 18th, 2013
Nanoparticle Opens the Door to Clean-Energy Alternatives June 14th, 2013
Discoveries
A Battery Made of Wood? Wood fibers help nano-scale batteries keep their structure June 19th, 2013
Less is More: Novel Cellulose Structure Requires Fewer Enzymes to Process Biomass to Fuel June 19th, 2013
Sound waves precisely position nanowires June 19th, 2013
Scientists Use Nanotechnology to Increase Thermal Stability of Essential Oils June 19th, 2013
Materials
A Battery Made of Wood? Wood fibers help nano-scale batteries keep their structure June 19th, 2013
Working backward: Computer-aided design of zeolite templates: Rice scientists apply drug-design lessons to production of industrial minerals June 17th, 2013
Discover the ‘Nanostructure Advantage’ at ECerS 2013, Booth 5: Innovnano presents nanostructured powders for high performance ceramics June 17th, 2013
Discovery of new material state counterintuitive to laws of physics June 14th, 2013
Announcements
Less is More: Novel Cellulose Structure Requires Fewer Enzymes to Process Biomass to Fuel June 19th, 2013
Sound waves precisely position nanowires June 19th, 2013
Scientists Use Nanotechnology to Increase Thermal Stability of Essential Oils June 19th, 2013
Production of Bioactive Material for Quick Treatment of Bone Damages June 19th, 2013