Photolysis of polymeric organosilicon systems. III. Synthesis and photochemical behavior of polysiloxanes containing phenyldisilanyl units

The synthesis and photochemical behavior of three types of polysiloxanes containing phenyldisilanyl units as chromophore have been reported. Irradiation of thin liquid films of the polymer (2) prepared from copolymerization of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane and 1,3,5-triphenyl-1,3,5-tris(trimethylsilyl)cyclostrisiloxane (1) with a 500-W Xe-Hg lamp afforded transparent solid films which are insoluble in common organic solvents. Similar irradiation of thin liquid films of polysiloxane (8) containing both phenyldisilanyl units and vinyl groups resulted in formation of crosslinked solid films. When thick films of the polymers 2 and 8 were irradiated with a Xe-Hg lamp, crosslinking occurred only on the surface of the films, but inside remained as liquid. Irradiation of the films prepared from the polysiloxane involving the phenyldisilanyl units and butenyl groups, however, gave crosslinked solid films, whatever thickness of the films. The mechanism of photochemically induced crosslinking of the copolymers is discussed on the basis of the results obtained from the photolysis of 1,1-bis(trimethylsiloxy)-1-phenyl(trimethyl)disilane as a model compound.     

Effects of surface morphology on the anchoring and electrooptical dynamics of confined nanoscale liquid crystalline films

The orientation and dynamics of two 40-nm thick films of 4-n-pentyl-4'-cyanobiphenyl (5CB), a nematic liquid crystal, have been studied using step-scan Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The films are confined in nanocavities bounded by an interdigitated electrode array (IDA) patterned on a zinc selenide (ZnSe) substrate. The effects of the ZnSe surface morphology (specifically, two variations of nanometer-scale corrugations obtained by mechanical polishing) on the initial ordering and reorientation dynamics of the electric-field-induced Freedericksz transition are presented here. The interaction of the 5CB with ZnSe surfaces bearing a spicular corrugation induces a homeotropic (surface normal) alignment of the film confined in the cavity. Alternately, when ZnSe is polished to generate fine grooves along the surface, a planar alignment is promoted in the liquid crystalline film. Time-resolved FTIR studies that enable the direct measurement of the rate constants for the electric-field-induced orientation and thermal relaxation reveal that the dynamic transitions of the two film structures are significantly different. These measurements quantitatively demonstrate the strong effects of surface morphology on the anchoring, order, and dynamics of liquid crystalline thin films.     

聚吡咯薄膜在超临界CO_2与离子液体两相体系中的电化学合成

首次在超临界CO2与离子液体两相体系中实现了聚吡咯（PPyr）薄膜的电化学合成.与纯离子液体相比,该体系中合成的PPyr膜具有均匀平滑的表面.随着CO2压力的增加,膜的生长速度减慢,膜的表面变得更加均匀平滑.     

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES OF POLYMER SURFACE RELAXATION FROM THE BULK?

The polymer surface relaxation in thin films has been a long debating issue.We report a new method on studying surface relaxation behaviors of polymer thin films on a solid substrate.This method involved utilizing a rubbed polyimide surface with a pretilting angle in a liquid crystalline cell.Due to the surface alignment,the liquid crystals were aligned along the rubbing direction.During heating the liquid crystalline cell,we continuously monitored the change of orientation of the liquid crystals.It is u...     

Redox-active ionic-liquid-assisted one-step general method for preparing gold nanoparticle thin films: applications in refractive index sensing and catalysis

We describe a general one-step facile method for depositing gold nanoparticle (GNP) thin films onto any type of substrates by the in situ reduction of AuCl(3) using a newly designed redox-active ionic liquid (IL), tetrabutylphosphonium citrate ([TBP][Ci]). Various substrates such as positively charged glass, negatively charged glass/quartz, neutral hydrophobic glass, polypropylene, polystyrene, plain paper, and cellophane paper are successfully coated with a thin film of GNPs. This IL ([TBP][Ci]) is prepared by the simple neutralization of tetrabutylphosphonium hydroxide with citric acid. We also demonstrate that the [TBP][Ci] ionic liquid can be successfully used to generate GNPs in an aqueous colloidal suspension in situ. The deposited GNP thin films on various surfaces are made up of mostly discrete spherical GNPs that are well distributed throughout the film, as confirmed by field-emission scanning electron microscopy. However, it seems that some GNPs are arranged to form arrays depending on the nature of surface. We also characterize these GNP thin films via UV-vis spectroscopy and X-ray diffractometry. The as-formed GNP thin films show excellent stability toward solvent washing. We demonstrate that the thin film of GNPs on a glass/quartz surface can be successfully used as a refractive index (RI) sensor for different polar and nonpolar organic solvents. The as-formed GNP thin films on different surfaces show excellent catalytic activity in the borohydride reduction of p-nitrophenol.     

Structural characterization of thin hydroxypropylcellulose films. X-ray reflectivity studies

Thin solid films of hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC) have been investigated using synchrotron X-ray reflectivity. Evidence of preferential alignment of HPC molecules at the substrate surface is obtained. In the surface region the liquid crystalline domains ofHPC are preferentially oriented parallel to the substrate, whereas in the bulk they are mostly distributed randomly. Incorporation of colloidal particles in the film-substrate region destroys the preferential alignment. It is also found that in conditions of restricted geometry (very thin films), a minimum film thickness is required to produce lateral packing order perpendicular to the substrate surface.     

Role of the interaction between forming nanocrystals and glass surface on the structure and properties of ZnO-based films

The interaction between glass surface and forming nanocrystals plays the important role in the formation of thin ZnO coatings crystal structure. The comparative study of the crystal structure of thin ZnO-based films and powders having similar chemical compositions was performed with the use of SEM, XRD analysis, optical, and luminescent spectroscopy. The influence of different coatings parameters (chemical composition, thickness) on the spectroscopic and morphological properties of thin films and powders reveals the structural features of the interaction between forming ZnO nanocrystals and glass surface. ZnO–SnO₂ coatings and powders were prepared by liquid polymer-salt technique. This method provides the close contact between the coatings’ precursors with a surface of the glass during both the nucleation and the initial growth stage of forming oxide crystals. The interaction of nanocrystals and substrate surface is responsible for the texture formation in the ZnO films and determines some features of their optical properties.     

纳米TiO2薄膜的热致亲水性与光致亲水性机理

应用真空磁控溅射，溶胶－凝胶方法和电沉积方法分别在玻璃和导电玻璃表面制备了纳米TiO2薄膜，纳米TiO2薄膜的热致亲水性研究表明，这是由于热处理对TiO2薄膜表面的清洁作用除去了吸附的水和有机污染物而产生的。TiO2薄膜的光致亲水性可能也源于紫外光照产生的活性粒子对TiO2薄膜的“光清洁作用”所致。     

Interface induced crystal structures of dioctyl-terthiophene thin films

Temperature dependent structural and morphological investigations on semiconducting dioctyl-terthiophene (DOTT) thin films prepared on silica surfaces reveals the coexistence of surface induce order and distinct crystalline/liquid crystalline bulk polymorphs. X-ray diffraction and scanning force microscopy measurements indicate that at room temperature two polymorphs are present: the surface induced phase grows directly on the silica interface and the bulk phase on top. At elevated temperatures the long-range order gradually decreases, and the crystal G (340 K), smectic F (348 K), and smectic C (360 K) phases are observed. Indexation of diffraction peaks reveals that an up-right standing conformation of DOTT molecules is present within all phases. A temperature stable interfacial layer close to the silica-DOTT interface acts as template for the formation of the different phases. Rapid cooling of the DOTT sample from the smectic C phase to room temperature results in freezing into a metastable crystalline state with an intermediated unit cell between the room temperature crystalline phase and the smectic C phase. The understanding of such interfacial induced phases in thin semiconducting liquid crystal films allows tuning of crystallographic and therefore physical properties within organic thin films.     

Well-defined micropatterns of polymers prepared by controlled crystallization process

Surface confined recrystallization of highly-oriented polyethylene (PE) thin films realized by carbon-coating was utilized to control the morphological structure of ultrathin PE films. Selective carbon-coating with the help of a mask and subsequent recrystallization of the pre-oriented PE thin film lead to a partially structural control of the PE thin film in the coated domains. A fully structural control of the PE film is then fulfilled through a combination of surface confinement and heteroepitaxy of PE on the oriented poly(tetrafluroethylene) (PTFE) thin film. The thus obtained structure can serve as a template to induce pattern structures of a variety of other polymers through epitaxial growth. The poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and poly(butylenes adipate) (PBA) micropattern thin films are shown in this paper as examples. These thin films exhibit different birefringence in different regions depending on the molecular orientation and may find potential applications in the fields of polarization-dependent display or storage.     

Different surface corrugations occurring during drainage of axisymmetric thin liquid films

This paper deals with the different surface corrugations observable during the thinning of axisymmetric thin and large aqueous films, stabilized by saponin. The films are observed using a thin film balance under a constant driving pressure. This device allows measurement of the thicknesses of the film surface shapes arising all along the drainage, as well as the following-up of their evolution before equilibrium is attained. Depending on the electrolyte (NaCl) concentration, three different sorts of corrugation were originally observed in such suspended thin liquid films. At the lowest NaCl concentrations, corresponding to repulsive potential between film walls, only the hydrodynamic corrugations deformed the film surfaces. Regarding the higher NaCl concentrations, when van der Waals forces become predominant, and following the thickness of the first-established thin film, the experiments disclose either that the thinner films are broken up by spinodal decomposition, or that the thicker ones are broken by nucleation and growth of black film. In addition, an original aspect of these works appears in the fact that these observations of the spontaneous decomposition of suspended thin films are relatively similar to those usually described for dewetting experiments on solid substrates, and are well fitted by the existing theoretical models.     

激光刻蚀模板中电沉积特殊结构CIGS薄膜

本文利用激光刻蚀模板,在水溶液中电沉积制备金属铜薄膜,讨论了温度、电流、硫酸铜浓度对薄膜形貌的影响. 采用SEM对制备的铜薄膜进行表征,结果表明在沉积温度为30 ℃,沉积电流为4 A·dm^-2(表观工作电流密度),硫酸铜浓度在20 ~ 50 g·L^-1的水溶液中电沉积可以得到中空馒头状和开口碗状结构的铜薄膜. 利用激光刻蚀模板,在离子液体1-丁基-3-甲基咪唑三氟甲磺酸盐([BMI][TfO]) - 30 Vol%丙醇混合电解质中电沉积CIGS薄膜,研究了沉积电势、沉积时间对薄膜形貌的影响. SEM观察发现,在沉积电势为-1.8 V,沉积时间为1.5 h条件下电沉积可以得到近似柱状的簇状花束样的CIGS薄膜, 电沉积铜后再进一步电沉积CIGS,得到了均匀有序的鼓包柱状结构的Cu/CIGS复合薄膜. 用恒电势方波法对制备的薄膜真实表面积进行测试,计算结果表明,与无模板电沉积制备的CIGS薄膜相比,激光刻蚀模板法制备的Cu/CIGS复合薄膜的表面积提高了约8倍.     

Nonflat equilibrium liquid shapes on flat surfaces

The hydrostatic pressure in thin liquid layers differs from the pressure in the ambient air. This difference is caused by the actions of surface forces and capillary pressure. The manifestation of the surface force action is the disjoining pressure, which has a very special S-shaped form in the case of partial wetting (aqueous thin films and thin films of aqueous electrolyte and surfactant solutions, both free films and films on solid substrates). In thin flat liquid films the disjoining pressure acts alone and determines their thickness. However, if the film surface is curved then both the disjoining and the capillary pressures act simultaneously. In the case of partial wetting their simultaneous action results in the existence of nonflat equilibrium liquid shapes. It is shown that in the case of S-shaped disjoining pressure isotherm microdrops, microdepressions, and equilibrium periodic films exist on flat solid substrates. Criteria are found for both the existence and the stability of these nonflat equilibrium liquid shapes. It is shown that a transition from thick films to thinner films can go via intermediate nonflat states, microdepressions and periodic films, which both can be more stable than flat films within some range of hydrostatic pressure. Experimental investigations of shapes of the predicted nonflat layers can open new possibilities of determination of disjoining pressure in the range of thickness in which flat films are unstable.     

有机光导液晶光阀(透射式)及其性能的研究

本文报道用聚乙烯咔唑-2,4,7三硝基芴酮电荷转移复合物作光导层,与向列型及胆甾向列型混合液晶组成的夹心池结构制成的扭曲场效应、相变存储效应及动态存储效应三种直流透射式光阀及其性能的研究结果。制得的光阀均有明显开关效应。此外,还详细研究了扭曲场效应液晶光阀的阈值电压、对比度及上升时间与写入光功率的依赖关系。用白光写入,He-Ne激光读出,在扭曲场效应光阀上可实现非相干光-相干光转换,得到图象。用MTF法测得的光阀分辨率为34lps/mm。     

Thin films of discotic liquid crystals and their applications

ABSTRACT

Discotic liquid crystals (DLCs) are considered as fascinating systems due to their unique property of self-assembly to yield different columnar structures. DLCs are organic semiconductors and create pathways for the development of numerous optical and electrical devices. The thin films of DLCs can be considered as low dimensional system which can exhibit remarkable optical and physical properties. In this article, we present a review on ultrathin films of some interesting DLC molecules at air–water and air–solid interfaces. The Langmuir monolayer and Langmuir–Blodgett films of DLC molecules are extensively studied. The ultrathin films of DLC molecules can yield highly anisotropic layer wherein the molecular orientation and aggregation can have large impact on the physicochemical properties of the film. Different surface phases with different molecular orientations as function of surface density and temperature can be obtained by forming the Langmuir monolayer of the DLC molecules at the air–water interface. The Langmuir monolayer in a particular phase can be deposited onto the active area of a device layer-by-layer by employing a highly controlled Langmuir–Blodgett technique. Here, we report some interesting results related on molecular orientation of the DLC molecules at different interfaces. Such aggregation of DLC molecules in ultrathin films may find applications in thin film-based electro-optical devices.     

Immobilization of Tris-(8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum onto P4VP polymer thin films by UV irradiation cross-linking

We report a novel method for the immobilization of Tris-(8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum (Alq₃) onto poly(4-vinylpyridine) (P4VP) thin polymer films by UV irradiation cross-linking. The polymer films were prepared by spin-coating of P4VP onto cleaned silicon wafer surface followed by UV irradiation. The thicknesses of the polymer thin films were measured by ellipsometry with different irradiation times. The immobilization of Alq₃, orientation and the surface activity were followed using photoluminescence and UV-visible spectroscopy. The surface morphology was investigated by using field emission scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Patterning of Alq₃ on P4VP film was obtained using photolithography technique. Our experimental results show that the cross-linked P4VP thin film is a universal surface modifier.     

Oxygen detection using yttria-stabilized zirconia thin films doped with platinum

Yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) thin films are obtained using both spray-pyrolysis and dip-coating. The ability of YSZ films incorporated with platinum nanospecies (Pt-YSZ) to detect oxygen is compared with that of pure YSZ thin films using a new experimental setup. With this system, the surface electrical resistance of the films as a function the oxygen content is measured at a fixed temperature. In addition, the effects of thermal annealing on the oxygen sensitivity of the films are observed. Platinum doped samples, Pt-YSZ, show different kinetics of carrier diffusion as compared to pure YSZ samples.     

An electron diffraction study of deposited docosanoic acid monolayers

Docosanoic acid monolayers deposited on thin polymer films under different water surface conditions have been investigated using transmission electron diffraction at normal and tilted incidence. Diffraction patterns obtained from the L₂ and L₂' phase are quite similar, but distinctly different to samples coated from the CS phase. The former were consistent with molecules perpendicular to the substrate, arranged in a texture of grains with unusual orthorhombic packing. There is evidence for a phase transition from a liquid crystalline phase on the water surface.     

Direct visualization of dewetting of molecularly thin liquid films on solid surfaces

The effect of the surface energy gamma, disjoining pressure, Pi, and roughness on the dewetting of molecularly thin liquid lubricant films on magnetic disks, which have sub-nanometer surface topography, has been investigated by visualizing the dewetting process directly using ellipsometric microscopy. The dewetting process of thin liquids on the rough surface is determined not only by the well-known instability of films, which is determined by the sign of dPi/dh, but also by the sign of Pi and the surface topography of the substrate even if its roughness is of the sub-nanometer order. The dewetting film formed small droplets, which were not along the surface topography of the substrate, when Pi < 0. On the other hand, it formed grooves along the surface topography with a sub-nanometer roughness when Pi > 0. Moreover, the sub-nanometer roughness initiated the dewetting of the metastable liquid thin films.