Synthesis and characterization of polydimethylsiloxane-cured organically modified silicate hybrid coatings

Hybrid coatings based on polydimethylsiloxane-cured organically modified silicate were synthesized through a sol-gel technique. Amino-terminated siloxane, 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane and tetraethoxysilane were used as precursors for the hybrid coatings. These hybrid films were deposited via spin coating onto an aluminum alloy to improve the corrosion protection. The effects induced by the different chain lengths of siloxane on the chain dynamics, thermal stability and corrosion performance of the coated samples were investigated. The rotating-frame spin-lattice relaxation times and scale of the spin-diffusion path length indicated that the configuration of the hybrid films was highly crosslinked, dense and adhered to the aluminum alloy substrates. The thermal stability and the apparent activation energy, evaluated by van Krevelen's method, of the hybrid coatings depended on the siloxane chain length. Potentiodynamic analysis revealed that the hybrid films provided exceptional barrier and corrosion protection in comparison with untreated aluminum alloy substrates.     

Synthesis and Properties of Cerium and Titanium Oxide Thin Coatings for Corrosion Protection of 304 Stainless Steel

Powders and thin coatings of ceria and titania were synthesized from aqueous and solvent-based precursors. Thin coatings were deposited on polished 304 stainless steel coupons by dipping them in the appropriate sol-gel oxide precursors. The coatings were subsequently densified and crystallized at several hundreds of degrees. It was possible to obtain dense titania coatings by applying thin coatings of cerium dioxide prior to titania on stainless steel substrates. Underlayer ceria coatings proved to be pivotal in obtaining dense titania coatings and preserving the integrity of the stainless steel while going through the high temperature treatments. The effect of processing parameters such as the atmosphere of heat-treatment, and temperature on the microstructure and crystal structure of the films and powders of ceria and titania was investigated. X-ray diffraction was used to identify the crystal structure of films and powders upon heat-treatment. Electrochemical measurements in NaCl, and analytical techniques such as SEM and EDX were used to evaluate the corrosion performance and pitting morphology of coated samples. A composite coating of ceria and titania was able to prevent crevice corrosion and increase the pitting resistance of the 304 stainless steel relative to the uncoated substrate.     

Electrosynthesis and analytical characterization of PMMA coatings on titanium substrates as barriers against ion release

The performance of polyacrylic coatings as barrier films against corrosion of titanium-based orthopaedic implants was investigated. In particular, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) was electrosynthesized on titanium substrates by electro-reductive processes from aqueous monomer solutions. The obtained PMMA coatings were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The effect of an annealing treatment on the morphology of coatings with respect to uniformity and porosity of films was assessed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). An inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) technique was used for ion concentration measurements in ion release tests performed on TiAlV sheets modified with PMMA coatings (annealed and unannealed). Results indicated that the annealing process produces coatings with considerable anticorrosion performances.Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available for this article at     

Reduction of bacterial adhesion on modified DLC coatings

The high incidence of infections caused by the use of implanted biomedical devices, including catheters, bone fracture fixation pins and heart valves, etc. has a severe impact on human health and health care costs. Diamond-like carbon (DLC) films as biomaterial for medical devices have been attracting great interest due to their excellent properties such as low friction and chemical inertness. It has been demonstrated that the properties of DLC films can be further improved by the addition of selective elements into DLC films. In this paper Si- and N-doped DLC coatings with various silicon and nitrogen contents on 316 stainless steel substrates were prepared by a magnetron sputtering technique. Bacterial adhesion to the modified DLC coatings was evaluated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 33347) which frequently cause medical device infections. The results showed that the addition of N or Si in DLC coatings had a significant influence on bacterial adhesion. In general the modified DLC coatings with N or Si performed better than the pure DLC coatings in inhibiting bacterial adhesion. The bacterial adhesion mechanism on the modified DLC coatings was explained with thermodynamic theory.     

Synthesis, infrared stealth and corrosion resistance of organically modified silicate-polyaniline/carbon black hybrid coatings

Hybrid coatings based on organically modified silicate-polyaniline/carbon black (Ormosil-PANI/CB) were synthesized through a sol-gel technique with different carbon black (10-30 wt%) and PANI/CB (10-30 wt%) contents. These hybrid films were deposited via spin coating onto an aluminum alloy in order to improve the corrosion protection and to act as infrared stealth coatings. The effects induced by the PANI/CB composites on the chain dynamic, thermal properties, infrared stealth, and anticorrosion performances of the coated samples were investigated. The rotating-frame spin-lattice relaxation times and scale of the spin-diffusion path length indicated that the configuration of the hybrid films was highly cross-linked and dense. Thermal properties of these Ormosil-PANI/CB hybrids have been improved over the pure Ormosil analyzed by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The thermal extinction of the hybrid coatings increased with the increase in the carbon black and PANI/CB content. Potentio-dynamic and salt-spray analysis revealed that the hybrid films provided an exceptional barrier and corrosion protection in comparison with untreated aluminum alloy substrates.     

Adhesion Behaviour of Organically-Modified Silicate Coatings on Stainless Steel

The mechanical properties of organically modified silicate coatings on stainless steel substrates were investigated, using nano-indentation and simultaneous in situ microtensile testing/optical microscopy. The load-displacement response and fracture behaviour is examined to ascertain the effects of different organic groups on the film properties and adhesion characteristics. The relationship between the morphology and mechanical properties of the films is discussed, and it is demonstrated that the mechanical response of the coatings is significantly influenced by the nature of the organic group attached to the ormocer precursor.     

Infrared stealth and anticorrosion performances of organically modified silicate‐NiZn ferrite/polyaniline hybrid coatings

Hybrid coatings based on organically modified silicate‐Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄/polyaniline were synthesized through a sol–gel technique with different NiZn ferrite/polyaniline weight ratio (1/1, 1/2, 1/5). These hybrid films were deposited via spin coating onto an aluminum alloy to improve the corrosion protection and to act as infrared stealth coatings. The effects induced by the NiZn ferrite/polyaniline hybrids on the chain dynamic, ferromagnetic behavior, infrared stealth, and anticorrosion performances of the coated samples were investigated. The rotating‐frame spin‐lattice relaxation times and scale of the spin‐diffusion path length indicated that the configuration of the hybrid films was highly cross‐linked and dense. The thermal extinction of the hybrid coatings increased with the increase in the polyaniline content. Potentio‐dynamic and salt‐spray analysis revealed that the hybrid films provided an exceptional barrier and corrosion protection in comparison with untreated aluminum alloy substrates. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 926–935, 2008     

Characterization and corrosion resistance of organically modified silicate/MO2 (M = Zr,Ti, or Ce) hybrid coatings on a 6061‐T6 aluminum alloy

Hybrid coatings based on organically modified silicate (Ormosil)/ZrO₂ (0–1.0 wt %) and Ormosil/MO₂ (M = Ti or Ce) were synthesized through a sol–gel technique. Tetraethylenepentamine, 3‐glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane, tetraethoxysilane, and MO₂ (M = Zr, Ti, or Ce) metallic particle were used as precursors for the hybrid coatings. These hybrid films were deposited via spin coating onto an aluminum alloy to improve the corrosion protection. The effects induced by the ZrO₂ content and the metallic particle type on the chain dynamics, thermal stability, and corrosion performance of the coated samples were investigated. The rotating‐frame spin–lattice relaxation times and scale of the spin–diffusion path length indicated that the configuration of the hybrid films was highly crosslinked and dense and adhered to the aluminum alloy substrates. The thermal stability and the apparent activation energy, evaluated by van Krevelen's method, of the hybrid coatings depended on the ZrO₂ content and on the metallic particle type. Potentiodynamic and salt‐spray analysis revealed that the hybrid films provided exceptional barrier and corrosion protection in comparison with untreated aluminum alloy substrates. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 335–342, 2006     

Optical Properties of Sol-Gel Coatings on Plastic Foils Embossed with Surface-Relief Gratings

A novel technique has been developed to fabricate surface-relief gratings using sol-gel derived porous coating on plastic foil substrates. Organically modified TiO₂ sol was prepared by roll-coating on OPP foil substrates. The plastic films coated with TiO₂ nano-particles were embossed to form surface-relief gratings with micro-structures. The morphology of the porous coatings and the micro-structures were investigated using electron scanning microscopy (SEM). Optical transmission of the films was measured using UV-VIS and IR spectroscopy. The diffraction efficiency of the gratings on the coated plastic foil was examined in terms of fabrication conditions. It was shown that special figures could be seen in the films when the angle of view was changed. The final products of the composite films are transparent and suitable for industry manufacture and applications.     

MOF thin films: existing and future applications

The applications and potentials of thin film coatings of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) supported on various substrates are discussed in this critical review. Because the demand for fabricating such porous coatings is rather obvious, in the past years several synthesis schemes have been developed for the preparation of thin porous MOF films. Interestingly, although this is an emerging field seeing a rapid development a number of different applications on MOF films were either already demonstrated or have been proposed. This review focuses on the fabrication of continuous, thin porous films, either supported on solid substrates or as free-standing membranes. The availability of such two-dimensional types of porous coatings opened the door for a number of new perspectives for functionalizing surfaces. Also for the porous materials themselves, the availability of a solid support to which the MOF-films are rigidly (in a mechanical sense) anchored provides access to applications not available for the typical MOF powders with particle sizes of a few μm. We will also address some of the potential and applications of thin films in different fields like luminescence, QCM-based sensors, optoelectronics, gas separation and catalysis. A separate chapter has been devoted to the delamination of MOF thin films and discusses the potential to use them as free-standing membranes or as nano-containers. The review also demonstrates the possibility of using MOF thin films as model systems for detailed studies on MOF-related phenomena, e.g. adsorption and diffusion of small molecules into MOFs as well as the formation mechanism of MOFs (101 references).     

Mechanically stable antireflection and antifogging coatings fabricated by the layer-by-layer deposition process and postcalcination

Complexes of poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) and sodium silicate (PDDA-silicate) are alternately deposited with poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) to fabricate PAA/PDDA-silicate multilayer films. The removal of the organic components in the PAA/PDDA-silicate mulilayer films through calcination produces highly porous silica coatings with excellent mechanical stability and good adhesion to substrates. Quartz substrates covered with such porous silica coatings exhibit both antireflection and antifogging properties because of the reduced refractive index and superhydrophilicity of the resultant films. A maximum transmittance of 99.86% in the visible spectral range is achieved for the calcinated PAA/PDDA-silicate films deposited on quartz substrates. The wavelengths of maximum transmittance could be well tailored by simply changing the deposition cycles of multilayer films. The usage of PDDA-silicate complexes allows for the introduction of high porosity to the resultant silica coatings, which favors the fabrication of antireflection and antifogging coatings with enhanced performance. Meanwhile, PDDA-silicate complexes enable rapid fabrication of thick porous silica coatings after calcination because of the large dimensions of the complexes in solution. The easy availability of the materials and simplicity of this method for film fabrication might make the mechanically stable multifunctional antireflection and antifogging coatings potentially useful in a variety of applications.     

Properties of Aqueous Polyurethane Dispersion Modified by Epoxide Resin and Their Use as Adhesive

The aqueous polyurethane hybrid dispersion modified by the epoxy resin were synthesized using 1,4-butanediol ( BDO ) and dimethylolpropionic(DMPA) as chain extenders. A kind of automobile interior decoration adhesive was made by the modified hybrid dispersions. Effects of the content and the kinds of epoxide resin on the properties of dispersions and dispersion-cast films such as appearance, pot life, viscosity, particle size, molecular mass, hardness, swelling in water, contact angle, strength of stress, elongation at break, and other mechanical properties were studied. At the same time the effect of the E20 content on the peel strength of the adhesive for several automobile interior decoration substrates such as rubber/wood, poly(vinyl chloride)/wood; leather/wood, sponge/wood was investigated. The experimental results show that when the epoxy resin E20 content was 8%, the modified polyurethane hybrid dispersions possess better properties and the adhesive made by the modified dispersions posses better adhesion for automobile interior decoration substrates. The stress-strain curve of the modified aqueous polyurethane hybrid dispersions films shows the modified aqueous cast films possess better rigidity and toughness.     

Process optimization and characterization of thin films of SrFeO3-x by the pechini method

Nanostructured coatings have recently attracted increasing interest because of the possibilities of synthesizing materials with unique physical-chemical properties. Highly sophisticated surface related properties, such as optical, magnetic, electronic, catalytic, mechanical, chemical and tribological properties can be obtained by advanced nanostructured coatings, making them attractive for various industrial applications. In this report we describe our efforts at developing methodology for the fabrication of SrFeO_3-x based thin films using a modified Pechini method. Thin films of SrFeO_3-x were fabricated using spin coating and a drop coating method developed in-house on Al₂O₃ and Si- substrates. The films annealed at 600°C for one hour show a perovskite phase. The grain size increases with increase in annealing temperature. The influence of various variables such as metal to chelant ratio, drying control reagents, calcination conditions, substrate type and mode of film formation were studied using XRD, optical microscopy, SEM and AFM.     

Atmosphere effects in the processing of silicon carbide and silicon oxycarbide thin films and coatings

Silicon carbide and silicon oxycarbide films were prepared from solutions of polycarbosilane and methyldimethoxysilane + tetraethoxysilane, respectively, and deposited on different substrates (Si wafers, stainless steel plates, sapphire and SiC fibers). The coatings were heated at different temperatures and in different atmospheres, such as regular grade argon, ultra high purity and argon vacuum. The films were characterized using different techniques (FT-IR, XRD, SIMS, Ellipsometry).The influence of the processing parameters (heat treatment temperature and atmosphere) on the final microstructure of the coatings is discussed in this article.     

Surface characteristics of a self-polymerized dopamine coating deposited on hydrophobic polymer films

This study aims to explore the fundamental surface characteristics of polydopamine (pDA)-coated hydrophobic polymer films. A poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) film was surface modified by dip coating in an aqueous solution of dopamine on the basis of its self-polymerization and strong adhesion feature. The self-polymerization and deposition rates of dopamine on film surfaces increased with increasing temperature as evaluated by both spectroscopic ellipsometry and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). Changes in the surface morphologies of pDA-coated films as well as the size and shape of pDA particles in the solution were also investigated by SEM, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The surface roughness and surface free energy of pDA-modified films were mainly affected by the reaction temperature and showed only a slight dependence on the reaction time and concentration of the dopamine solution. Additionally, three other typical hydrophobic polymer films of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), and polyimide (PI) were also modified by the same procedure. The lyophilicity (liquid affinity) and surface free energy of these polymer films were enhanced significantly after being coated with pDA, as were those of PVDF films. It is indicated that the deposition behavior of pDA is not strongly dependent on the nature of the substrates. This information provides us with not only a better understanding of biologically inspired surface chemistry for pDA coatings but also effective strategies for exploiting the properties of dopamine to create novel functional polymer materials.     

Effect of adhesive and cohesive strength on the tribological behaviour of non‐reactively sputtered TiC thin films

Titanium carbide (TiC) thin films were deposited on D9 steel substrates at room temperature (RT), 200 °C and 400 °C. A compound TiC target was sputtered to deposit films in a non‐reactive argon atmosphere. As‐deposited films were characterised for structural, chemical and mechanical properties. Nanoindentation and scratch tests were performed to evaluate the cohesive and adhesive strength of the films, respectively. Tribological properties of the films were investigated using a tribometer. An increase in nano‐hardness from 7.2 to 10.5 GPa was observed as deposition temperature was increased. The films deposited at RT and 200 °C showed poor adhesion leading to the inferior tribological performance. In contrast, films deposited at 400 °C showed better adhesion which improved the wear resistance. Tribological behaviour of TiC thin films was correlated with contact deformation modes of coatings. These modes revealed significant role of adhesive and cohesive strength associated with the coatings. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Improved Process for Producing Well-Adhered/Abrasion-Resistant Optical Coatings on an Optical Plastic Substrate

Abstract

A well-adhered and abrasion-resistant coating on a typical optical substrate [polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)] can be achieved by polymerizing organosilane in a low-temperature polymerization process. The substrate surface can be initially modified with hydrophilic functionalities in a radio-frequency plasma of argon/water vapor mixture in the pressure range 0.05-0.15 mbar to attach hydroxyl functionalities covalently to the substrate surface, which act as “anchorage sites” for polymerizing organosilane. This modified surface is then coated with polyvinyltrimethoxysilane at a power loading in the 20-60 W range and a flow rate of monomer in the 0.7-2.0 cm³-min^?1 range. The polymeric films deposited in this manner on PMMA substrates consistently passed adhesion and abrasive tests even after prolonged storage and thermal cycling in boiling water for at least 10 minutes as exposure to extreme differential thermal expansion conditions. The posttreatment of deposited films with plasmas of inert gases for stress relief had an insignificant effect on peel-off tests and, therefore, it was believed to be not as important as surface modification prior to coatings. The optical properties are essentially not affected by the organosilane coatings irrespective of film thickness, and the coated substrates are virtually transparent above 400 nm.     

The coating performance of adipic acid modified and methacrylated bisphenol- A based epoxy oligomers

In the present work adipic acid modified and methacrylated bisphenol A based epoxy resins were prepared. The structures of oligomers were characterized by FT-IR. UV curable clear coatings were applied on aluminum substrates. The physical and mechanical properties of UV-cured coatings such as gel content, solvent resistance, hardness, gloss, flexibility and tensile tests were examined. In addition, the thermal behavior of coatings was also evaluated. It is observed that the tensile properties and thermal stabilities of modified epoxy methacrylate coatings mainly depend on the adipic acid content. The best results were obtained with 5 wt% adipic acid modification. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Preparation of photocurable silica–titania hybrid coatings by an anhydrous sol–gel process

Photocurable silica-titania hybrid coatings were prepared through an anhydrous sol–gel process. Moreover, test samples were prepared by the addition of definite ratios of fluoro acrylate oligomers into the formulations to manage the optical properties of transmitted light. Formulations were applied to corona-treated polycarbonate substrates. Upon adding the inorganic component to the coating material, thermal, mechanical, and other properties, such as hardness, gloss, contact angle, and flame resistance were improved. The photocured hybrid films showed an increase in the refractive index with increasing the titanium tetraisopropoxide content. As expected, a decrease was observed in the refractive index of the coatings with the incorporation of fluoro acrylate resin. The surface morphology of the hybrid films was characterized by ESEM analysis. In addition the chemical composition of the surface of the coatings was identified by ESEM–EDS technique. ESEM studies indicated that inorganic particles were dispersed homogenously throughout the organic matrix.