Characteristics of Sol-Gel SnO2 Films Treated by Ammonia

Tin dioxide thin films prepared by sol-gel dip-coating method with ammonia treatment have been studied. By using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, detailed investigation on the structure and morphology of the films has shown the condensation of Sn-OH and the strengthening of gel network net through ammonia treatment, which leads to the improvement of the adhesion of the films. From the spectral transmission, angular distribution of reflectance and absorption spectrum, the optical properties of the ammonia treated films indicate that the ammonia treated films have a favorable optical performance, and the films are more suitable for acting as antireflective films than the heat-treated films. The ammonia treated films also exhibit higher conductivity compared with the non-treated films.     

Instabilities of nematic liquid crystal films

We discuss instabilities exhibited by free surface nematic liquid crystal (NLC) films of nanoscale thickness deposited on solid substrates, with a focus on surface instabilities that lead to dewetting. Such instabilities have been discussed extensively; however, there is still no consensus regarding the interpretation of experimental results, appropriate modeling approaches, or instability mechanisms. Instabilities of thin NLC free surface films are related to a wider class of problems involving dewetting of non-Newtonian fluids. For nanoscale films, the substrate–film interaction, often modeled by a suitable disjoining pressure, becomes relevant. For NLCs, one can extend the formulation to include the elastic energy of the NLC film, leading to an ‘effective’ disjoining pressure, playing an important role in instability development. Focusing on thin film modeling within the framework of the long-wave asymptotic model, we discuss various instability mechanisms and outline problems where new research is needed.     

Interfacial assemblies of cyanine dyes and gemini amphiphiles with rigid spacers: regulation and interconversion of the aggregates

A series of gemini amphiphiles with a pyridinium headgroup and rigid spacers were designed, and their interfacial assemblies with cyanine dyes, 3,3-disulfopropyl-9-methyl-selenacarbocyanine (SeCy) and 3,3-disulfopropyl-4,5,4',5'-dibenzo-9-methyl-thiocarbocyanine (MTC), through the air/water interface were investigated. Although the dyes have intrinsic tendencies to form J- or H-aggregates in aqueous solutions, their aggregation could be regulated in the complex films. Depending on the spacer, both J- and H-aggregates were formed for SeCy, whereas an H-aggregate with different absorption bands was obtained for MTC. Furthermore, the formed aggregates in the films could be reversibly switched by treating the complex films with HCl, NH3 gas, or water vapor. The J-aggregates of SeCy could be changed into H-aggregates and recovered through an alternative HCl/NH3 exposure in the films. The H-aggregate of the MTC film could be changed into J-aggregate upon exposure to HCl gas and subsequently put into air or NH 3 gas, and the thus-formed J-aggregate could be changed into H-aggregate under hot water vapor. In addition, such a reversible switch between different aggregates of MTC was only observed when the gemini amphiphiles with rigid spacers were applied. A possible explanation related to the protonation of the dye and the reorganizations in the film during the interconversion between different aggregates was proposed.     

Layered assemblies composed of sulfonated cyclodextrin and poly(allylamine)

Layered assemblies containing cyclodextrin (CD) have been prepared by layer-by-layer deposition of poly(allylamine) and sulfonated α-CD or β-CD on a solid surface. A quartz crystal microbalance study revealed that α-CD and β-CD form multilayers in the films upon each deposition. The sulfonated-α-CD-containing film bound methyl orange (MO) by forming an inclusion complex, resulting in the isolation of MO as a monomer in the film, whereas MO formed aggregates in the sulfonated-β-CD and CD-free films.     

Synthesis and nonlinear optical properties of side chain liquid crystalline polymers containing azobenzene push–pull chromophores

Azobenzene monomeric precursors bearing piperazine as donor moiety with different withdrawing groups and derived side chain polymethacrylates have been prepared and characterized. Monomers having terminal cyano or nitro groups, and the corresponding polymers, exhibited smectic A phases. Linear and nonlinear optical properties of every monomer and thin films of the cyano polymer ( pol‐PZ‐CN ) have been also studied. UV‐vis spectroscopy revealed out‐of‐plane orientation in the as prepared films, as confirmed by waveguide refractive index measurements. Moreover, absorption spectra indicated the presence of azo aggregates in these films. The initial molecular arrangement has been modified by applying thermal annealing within the mesophase range and UV‐blue irradiation. Although thermal annealing resulted in a significant amplification of the out‐of‐plane optical anisotropy due to thermotropic self‐organization of side chain azo moieties, irradiation with 440 nm light induced some disruption of aggregates. The nonlinear optical response of Corona poled films has been studied by second harmonic generation measurements, and the influence of the molecular arrangement on the nonlinear d_ij coefficients has been analyzed. The more efficient poling corresponded to preirradiated films. In any case, a noticeable degree of polar order (70% of the initial d₃₃ value) remained for several months after the poling in films kept at RT. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 232–242, 2010     

A study of the copper-catalysed direct arylation of β-dicarbonyl compounds with 2-bromobenzoic acids

The Cu-catalysed condensations of 2-bromobenzoic acids with β-dicarbonyl anions to give α-arylated-β-dicarbonyl compounds have been investigated in detail. Previously recommended experimental conditions for these reactions are shown to be in appropriate and the limited synthetic utility of these processes in the past is explained. Much superior conditions have now been developed by use of which a variety of β-dicarbonyl compounds can readily be arylated in good to excellent yield with A wide range of substituted 2-bromobenzoic acids and with certain other halo-aromatic acids. The scope and limitations of the synthetic method have been established, and a simple, high yield procedure for the preparation of homophthalic acids is described. It is shown that Cu(I) is almost certainly the effective catalyst, and information has been obtained on the probable mechanism of the substitution reaction by examination of steric and electronic effects in the halo-aromatic acids and by consideration of the structure and role of the β-dicarbonyl component.     

Development of an optical ammonia sensor based on polyaniline/epoxy resin (SU-8) composite

Polyaniline (PANI)/glycidyl ether of bisphenol A (SU-8) composite film is elaborated in order to detect ammonia gas. These composite films are characterized by ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy, Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The sensitivity to ammonia is measured by optical absorption changes. The ammonia sensing properties of PANI/SU-8 composite films are studied, and then are compared to pure PANI films elaborated by chemical way. Experimental results show that the PANI/SU-8 optical sensor has simultaneously a rapid response to ammonia gas and regenerates easily, that is advantageous compared to pure PANI films.     

Synthesis and properties of perylenetetracarboxylic diimide dimers linked at the bay position with conjugated chain of different length

Three perylenetetracarboxylic diimide (PDI) dimers linked with a conjugated chain of different lengths have been designed and prepared. The UV-Vis absorption and fluorescence spectra of these three dimers revealed different photophysical properties owing to the different length of the linkage. The intermolecular π-π interactions were found to be enhanced significantly with the increase in the length of the linkage and therefore induced different aggregation behaviors of these molecules. The structure of the molecular aggregates was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), and the morphology of the aggregates was examined by atomic force microscopy (AFM). One-dimensional fibers were observed for the aggregates of compounds 2 and 3, and thin solid films were observed for the aggregates of compound 1.     

Determination of the molecular orientation of very thin films on solid substrates: surface liquid crystal layers and rubbed polyimide films

The molecular orientation of very thin films on solid substrates can be determined quantitatively by measuring the polarized infrared (IR) absorption spectra of samples as a function of angle of incidence. The quantitative molecular orientation is derived by fitting the incident angle dependence and the dichroic ratio with theoretical calculations. We applied this method to a technologically important system: liquid crystal (LC)/rubbed polyimide film. To understand the alignment mechanism of LC molecules in contact with rubbed polyimide films, we have quantitatively determined the molecular orientation of rubbed polyimide films and a surface LC layer in contact with a rubbed polyimide film. In this paper two relations are discussed: (1) correlation between the inclination angle of polyimide backbone structures in rubbed films and the pretilt angle of bulk LC in contact with them, and (2) relation among the molecular orientation of a rubbed polyimide film and those of surface and bulk LC layers in contact with it.     

Gas flow-field induced director alignment in polymer dispersed liquid crystal microdroplets deposited on a glass substrate

Polymer dispersed liquid crystal thin films have been deposited on glass substrates by the processes of polymerization and solvent evaporation induced phase separation. The electron and the optical polarization microscopies of the films reveal that PDLC microdroplets formed during the process of phase separation near the top surface of the film remain exposed and respond to shear stress due to air or gas flow on the surface. Optical response of the film to an air flow-induced shear stress input on the free surface has been measured. Director orientation in the droplets changes with the applied shear stress leading to time varying transmitted light intensity. Director dynamics of the droplet for an applied step shear stress has been discussed from free energy considerations. Results on the measurement of light transmission as a function of the gas flow parameter unambiguously demonstrate the potential of these systems for use as boundary layer and gas flow sensors.     

Kettenlängeneffekte in paraffinen—VIII : Die verschiebung der UV-maxima von eisen(III)-chelaten verschieden substituierter β-dicarbonylverbindungen in abhängigkeit von der alkylkettenlänge

The UV spectra of iron(III)-chelates obtained from alkyl-substituted β-dicarbonyl compounds have been investigated and a bathochromic shift of the absorption maxima with increasing alkyl chain length has been observed. This effect can be explained by inductive interaction of the σ-electronsdelocalized in the paraffin chain with the metal chelate.     

A solution growth technique for the preparation of copper (II) selenide thin films

A solution growth technique has been developed for the deposition of thin films of copper(II) selenide on glass substrate using a copper(II) salt solution, triethanolamine, ammonia, and sodium selenosulfate as the reacting agents. The material has been characterized through X-ray powder photography, optical absorption, and Hall measurements at room temperature. The films are found to be degenerate and p type with a Moss-Burstein shifted direct band gap of 2.14 eV.     

First approach to the use of liquid crystal elastomers for chemical sensors

Liquid crystalline thin films elastomers that are able to bind pesticides have been developed. The synthesis involves grafting mesogen and crosslinkable groups on a polysiloxane chain in the presence of a template molecule. The molecular imprinted material is obtained after thin film deposition, UV crosslinking and washing. Experiments of readsorption of pesticide are presented. Development of a multisensor platform based on thermal and capacitive sensors is described and tests of deposition of the polymer film are presented.     

Preparation and electro‐optical properties of polymer dispersed liquid crystal films with relatively low liquid crystal content

In this paper, polymer dispersed liquid crystals (PDLC) films with LC content as low as 40 wt% were prepared, and the electro‐optical properties were carefully investigated. To accomplish this, different (meth)acrylate copolymerizaiton monomers have been used. The electro‐optical properties and morphologies of the PDLC films were strongly influenced by the chemical structure of copolymerization monomers (hydroxypropyl methacrylate (HPMA), glycidyl methacrylate, hydroxypropyl acrylate) and their feed ratio. Lower driven voltage and higher contrast ratio were achieved when the PDLC films showed a morphology with suitably LC domain size. At high HPMA content, a thin polymer film was formed on the surface of PDLC samples, which is beneficial to decrease the total LC content in PDLC devices. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ammonia gas sensor based on electrosynthesized polypyrrole films

In this work, design and fabrication of micro-gas-sensors, polymerization and deposition of poly(pyrrole) thin films as sensitive layer for the micro-gas-sensors by electrochemical processing, and characterization of the polymer films by FTIR, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), are reported. The change in conductance of thin polymer layers is used as a sensor signal. The behaviours, including sensitivity, reproducibility and reversibility, to various ammonia gas concentrations ranging from 8 ppm to 1000 ppm are investigated. The influence of the temperature on the electrical response of the sensors is also studied. The experimental results show that these ammonia gas sensors are efficient since they are sensitive to ammonia, reversible and reproducible at room temperature.     

Oriented monolayers prepared from lyotropic chromonic liquid crystal

We use a layer-by layer electrostatic self-assembly technique to obtain in-plane oriented aggregates of mesogenic dye molecules cast from lyotropic chromonic liquid crystals (LCLCs) on mica substrates. The aqueous solutions of dye used for deposition are in the nematic phase. Atomic force microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of the dried film reveal that the LCLC molecules adsorb at the charged substrate preserving ordered aggregates of elongated shape characteristic of the nematic phase in the aqueous solution. These elongated aggregates of LCLC molecules form films with in-plane orientational order and are compositionally distinct from the substrate.     

Gas flow-field induced director alignment in polymer dispersed liquid crystal microdroplets deposited on a glass substrate

Abstract

Polymer dispersed liquid crystal thin films have been deposited on glass substrates by the processes of polymerization and solvent evaporation induced phase separation. The electron and the optical polarization microscopies of the films reveal that PDLC microdroplets formed during the process of phase separation near the top surface of the film remain exposed and respond to shear stress due to air or gas flow on the surface. Optical response of the film to an air flow-induced shear stress input on the free surface has been measured. Director orientation in the droplets changes with the applied shear stress leading to time varying transmitted light intensity. Director dynamics of the droplet for an applied step shear stress has been discussed from free energy considerations. Results on the measurement of light transmission as a function of the gas flow parameter unambiguously demonstrate the potential of these systems for use as boundary layer and gas flow sensors.     

Microfluidic sensing devices employing in situ-formed liquid crystal thin film for detection of biochemical interactions

Although biochemical sensing using liquid crystals (LC) has been demonstrated, relatively little attention has been paid towards the fabrication of in situ-formed LC sensing devices. Herein, we demonstrate a highly reproducible method to create uniform LC thin film on treated substrates, as needed, for LC sensing. We use shear forces generated by the laminar flow of aqueous liquid within a microfluidic channel to create LC thin films stabilized within microfabricated structures. The orientational response of the LC thin films to targeted analytes in aqueous phases was transduced and amplified by the optical birefringence of the LC thin films. The biochemical sensing capability of our sensing devices was demonstrated through experiments employing two chemical systems: dodecyl trimethylammonium bromide (DTAB) dissolved in an aqueous solution, and the hydrolysis of phospholipids by the enzyme phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)).     

Langmuir films of flexible polymers transferred to aqueous/liquid crystal interfaces induce uniform azimuthal alignment of the liquid crystal

We reported recently that amphiphilic polymers can be assembled at interfaces created between aqueous phases and thermotropic liquid crystals (LCs) in ways that: (i) couple the organization of the polymer to the order of the LC and (ii) respond to changes in the properties of aqueous phases that can be characterized as changes in the optical appearance of the LC. This investigation sought to characterize the behavior of aqueous–LC interfaces decorated with uniaxially compressed thin films of polymers transferred by Langmuir–Schaefer (LS) transfer. Here, we report physicochemical characterization of interfaces created between aqueous phases and the thermotropic LC 4-cyano-4′-pentylbiphenyl (5CB) decorated with Langmuir films of a novel amphiphilic polymer (polymer 1), synthesized by the addition of hydrophobic and hydrophilic side chains to poly(2-vinyl-4,4′-dimethylazlactone). Initial characterization of this system resulted in the unexpected observation of uniform azimuthal alignment of 5CB after LS transfer of the polymer films to aqueous–5CB interfaces. This paper describes characterization of Langmuir films of polymer 1 hosted at aqueous–5CB interfaces as well as the results of our investigations into the origins of the uniform ordering of the LC observed upon LS transfer. Our results, when combined, support the conclusion that uniform azimuthal alignment of 5CB is the result of long-range ordering of polymer chains in the Langmuir films (in a preferred direction orthogonal to the direction of compression) that is generated during uniaxial compression of the films prior to LS transfer. Although past studies of Langmuir films of polymers at aqueous–air interfaces have demonstrated that in-plane alignment of polymer backbones can be induced by uniaxial compression, these past reports have generally made use of polymers with rigid backbones. One important outcome of this current study is thus the observation of anisotropy and long-range order in Langmuir films of a novel flexible polymer. A second important outcome is the observation that the existence, extent, and dynamics of this order can be identified and characterized optically by transfer of the Langmuir film to a thin film of LC. Additional characterization of Langmuir films of two other flexible polymers [poly(methyl methacrylate) and poly(vinyl stearate)] using this method also resulted in uniform azimuthal alignment of 5CB, suggesting that the generation of long-range order in uniaxially compressed Langmuir films of polymers may also occur more generally over a broader range of polymers with flexible backbones.     

Scratch-Resistant Improvement of Sol-Gel Derived Nano-Porous Silica Films

Scratch-resistance of sol-gel derived nano porous silica films were studied. The thin films were prepared with a dip-coating method from both one-step and two-step catalyzed silica sols, and treated in a mixture gas of ammonia and water vapour afterwards. The thin films were characterized by using Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), ellipsometer, Fourier-transform Infrared Spectroscope (FTIR), respectively. Experimental results have shown that the two-step catalysis remarkably improves strength of the films, and abrasion-resistance and adhesion of the silica films were further increased after the mixture gas treatment. It is attributed to the cross-linking of silica particles in the sols by randomly branched or/and entangled linear chains and more Si–O–Si bonds formed by the mixture gas treatment.