Surface treatment and characterization of ITO thin films using atmospheric pressure plasma for organic light emitting diodes

Ar atmospheric pressure plasma (APP) was used to treat indium-tin-oxide (ITO). The plasma conditions were varied to treat the ITO surface, e.g., plasma treatment time, RF power, flow rate, and the plasma outlet-to-sample distance. The plasma effectiveness was measured by the contact angle. The change in the surface energy calculated with the Owens-Wendt method mainly arises from the polar component. The dynamic contact angle measurements show that APP-treated surface showed considerably lower hysteresis in the water and ethylene glycol but there was no change in hysteresis in methylene iodide compared with the untreated ITO. Atomic force microscopy showed that the Ar APP-treated surface sharply decreased the surface roughness and showed a similar morphology as the untreated ITO. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy showed that the Ar APP treatment not only effectively removed carbon contamination from the surface but also introduced oxygen. Therefore, it is believed that the APP treatment modifies the physico-chemical properties of ITO, which can in turn improve the performance of the organic light-emitting diodes.     

Surface characterization of polyimide films

 Various kinds of poly(amide acid)s were prepared by the reaction of four kinds of acid dianhydride and three kinds of diamine in N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc). Polyimide films were prepared by casting the poly(amide acid) solution on soda glass substrates, followed by thermal imidization at various temperatures. Contact angles of polyimide films for the sides in contact both with air and with glass substrate (air side and glass side, respectively) were measured to evaluate the dispersive component (γ^D _S) and the nondispersive component (γ^P _S) of surface free energy (γ_S) of polyimide films. It was shown that, for the air side, γ^P _S value decreased greatly and γ^D _S values increased slightly with the development of imidization. Values of γ^P _S for the glass side were much higher than those for the air side. Poly(amide acid) solution was also cast on quartz glass and silicone rubber, and was thermally imidized. The γ^P _S for the quartz glass side was almost the same as that for the soda glass side. But the γ^P _S for the silicone rubber side was as low as the γ^P _S for the air side. Attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy of polyimide films showed that the degree of imidization for the glass side surface was not as high as that for the air side surface, and that the amount of polar groups for the glass side surface was higher than that for the air side surface. Among the various kinds of polyimides, there is a slight but clear difference in the values of γ_S and its components, which can be rationalized from the difference in the chemical structure. It was also found that thermal degradation and oxidation can be easily detected from the change of surface free energy and its components for the polyimide films after being treated at high temperatures in both air and vacuo. Received: 22 January 1998 Accepted: 10 March 1998     

Mechanical properties degradation of polyimide films irradiated by atomic oxygen

Mechanical properties of polyimide films are degraded by exposure to a low earth orbit environment. The main environmental factor for that degradation is atomic oxygen (AO). Using tensile tests, AO-irradiated surface topography observations, and fracture surface analyses, this study investigated the degradation behavior of polyimide films’ mechanical properties by increased AO fluence and its accompanying degradation mechanisms. Tensile strength and elongation of polyimide films were reduced concomitantly with increased AO fluence. Furthermore, AO-irradiated polyimide films fractured from the AO-irradiated surfaces, of which roughness became marked as AO fluence increased. These results reflect that reduction of mechanical properties is attributable to the roughness increase in AO-irradiated surfaces. Polyimide films coated with indium tin oxide (ITO) were also evaluated to confirm the degradation behavior of AO protective films. Surfaces of ITO-coated polyimide films remained smooth even after AO irradiation. However, undercut cavities were formed at ITO coating defect sites. Rupture of ITO-coated polyimide films initiates from the undercut cavities, engendering large reduction of tensile strength and elongation. The degradation of the mechanical properties of ITO-coated polyimide films increased substantially until the undercut cavities fully penetrated the film.     

Characterization and modification of polymer blend films

Films of immiscible blends of (PS) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) were characterized by contact-angle measurements with sessile drop and atomic force microscopy (AFM). These blends showed a linear dependence of the contact angles on the composition, as predicted by Cassie's equation for ideal surfaces. The surface structure investigated by AFM showed low roughness and phase-separation features. The ratio between the drop radius and the roughness amounted to the order of 10⁴–10⁵. This magnitude seemed to be sufficient to put the PS/PMMA films close to ideality. Upon sulfonation, the wettability and the microscopic surface roughness of the PS/PMMA blends increased. The treatment with sulfuric acid yielded sulfonated PS domains on the surface, causing an increase in the surface wettability. The SO₃ ⁻ groups were evidenced by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The sulfonation of the PS/PMMA blends enables the formation of multiphase surfaces with hydrophobic, charged and polar domains. Received: 11 December 2000 Accepted: 6 April 2001     

Surface characterization of poly(2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropyl methacrylate) by inverse gas chromatography and contact angle measurements

A fluorinated methacrylic homopolymer, poly(2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropyl methacrylate) (PPFPMA) was synthesized by a free radical polymerization reaction. The dispersive component of the surface energy () of PPFPMA was determined by contact angle measurements and inverse gas chromatography (IGC). An extensive surface characterization was conducted by means of IGC. Surface characterization demonstrated that PPFPMA has low value, even at 35 °C and is a Lewis amphoteric polymer with predominantly basic character, as confirmed by the Lewis acidity and basicity constants K_A and K_B, respectively. The values of obtained by IGC are slightly higher than those obtained by the contact angle method. This trend can be attributed to the fact that IGC evaluates, primarily, high energy sites of a surface.     

Looking at the micro-topography of polished and blasted Ti-based biomaterials using atomic force microscopy and contact angle goniometry

Surface topography of polished and blasted samples of a Ti6Al4V biomaterial has been studied using an atomic force microscope. Surface RMS roughness and surface area have been measured at different scales, from 1 to 50 μm, while at distances below 10 μm the surface RMS roughness in both kinds of samples is not very different, this difference becomes significant at larger scanning sizes. This means that the surface roughness scale that could have a main role in cell adhesion varies depending on the size, shape and flexibility of participating cells. This consideration suggests that in cell–material interaction studies, surface roughness should not be considered as an absolute and independent property of the material, but should be measured at scales in the order of the cell sizes, at least if a microscopic interpretation of the influence of roughness on the adhesion is intended. The microscopic information is contrasted with that coming from a macroscopic approach obtained by contact angle measurements for polar and non-polar liquids whose surface tension is comprised in a broad range. Despite the very large differences of contact angles among liquids for each surface condition, a similar increase for the blasted surface with respect to the polished has been found. Interpretation of these results are in accordance with the microscopic analysis done through the use of a functional roughness parameter, namely the valley fluid retention index, evaluated from the AFM images, which has been shown not to correlate with the RMS roughness, one of the most commonly used roughness parameter.     

Looking at the micro-topography of polished and blasted Ti-based biomaterials using atomic force microscopy and contact angle goniometry

Surface topography of polished and blasted samples of a Ti6Al4V biomaterial has been studied using an atomic force microscope. Surface RMS roughness and surface area have been measured at different scales, from 1 to 50 μm, while at distances below 10 μm the surface RMS roughness in both kinds of samples is not very different, this difference becomes significant at larger scanning sizes. This means that the surface roughness scale that could have a main role in cell adhesion varies depending on the size, shape and flexibility of participating cells. This consideration suggests that in cell–material interaction studies, surface roughness should not be considered as an absolute and independent property of the material, but should be measured at scales in the order of the cell sizes, at least if a microscopic interpretation of the influence of roughness on the adhesion is intended. The microscopic information is contrasted with that coming from a macroscopic approach obtained by contact angle measurements for polar and non-polar liquids whose surface tension is comprised in a broad range. Despite the very large differences of contact angles among liquids for each surface condition, a similar increase for the blasted surface with respect to the polished has been found. Interpretation of these results are in accordance with the microscopic analysis done through the use of a functional roughness parameter, namely the valley fluid retention index, evaluated from the AFM images, which has been shown not to correlate with the RMS roughness, one of the most commonly used roughness parameter.     

采用XPS与接触角法研究氟聚合物表面结构与性能

本文采用接触角和变角XPS方法对FA共聚物的表面能、 表面微相结构做了进一步的研究.     

Phospholipid foam films studied by contact angle measurements and fluorescence microscopy

 Foam films drawn from suspensions of the phospholipid 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine (DMPC) in water/ethanol mixtures were used for the investigation of the relation between the properties of the monolayers and the interaction between the film surfaces. The film thickness and the contact angle between the film and the meniscus were measured as a function of the temperature in a range around the temperature of the main phase transition for the lipid. Additionally, fluorescence microscopy was applied to investigate the distribution of a fluorescent lipidlike dye in the surface of the film and the meniscus. From the contact angle the free energy of film formation was calculated. At the temperature of the chain-melting phase transition the film thickness decreases by 0.7 nm. This can be related to a decrease in the thickness of the hydrocarbon layers of the lipid monolayers at this temperature. The decrease in the film thickness leads to a reduction in the free energy by increasing the van der Waals attraction between the film surfaces. No structures were observed in the monolayers of the film in the fluorescence investigation. However, on formation of the very thin equilibrium film the dye was expelled from the film area, indicating an increase in the packing density of the lipid, if the monolayers are in adhesive contact in the film. Received: 31 January 2000 Accepted: 25 February 2000     

Characteristics and durability of fluoropolymer thin films

The use of plasma-polymerised fluoropolymer (CF_xO_y) thin films in the manufacture of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices is well-established, being employed in the passivation step of the deep reactive ion etching (DRIE) process, for example. This paper presents an investigation of the effect of exposure to organic and aqueous liquid media on plasma-polymerised CF_xO_y thin films. Atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), ellipsometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and dynamic wetting measurements were all employed as characterisation techniques. Highly basic aqueous solutions, including known silicon etchants, were found to cause delamination via degradation of the countersurface below the CF_xO_y thin film. Films were found to be stable in organic solvents, acidic aqueous solutions and slightly basic aqueous solutions.     

Determination of solid surface tension from particle-substrate pull-off forces measured with the atomic force microscope

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is capable of solid surface characterization at the microscopic and submicroscopic scales. It can also be used for the determination of surface tension of solids (gamma) from pull-off force (F) measurements, followed by analysis of the measured F values using contact mechanics theoretical models. Although a majority of the literature gamma results was obtained using either Johnson-Kendall-Roberts (JKR) or Derjaguin-Muller-Toporov (DMT) models, re-analysis of the published experimental data presented in this paper indicates that these models are regularly misused. Additional complication in determination of gamma values using the AFM technique is that the measured pull-off forces have poor reproducibility. Reproducible and meaningful F values can be obtained with strict control over AFM experimental conditions during the pull-off force measurements (low humidity level, controlled and known loads) for high quality substrates and probes (surfaces should be free of heterogeneity, roughness, and contamination). Any probe or substrate imperfections complicate the interpretation of experimental results and often reduce the quality of the generated data. In this review, surface imperfection in terms of roughness and heterogeneity that influence the pull-off force are analyzed based upon the contact mechanics models. Simple correlations are proposed that could guide in selection and preparation of AFM probes and substrates for gamma determination and selection of loading conditions during the pull-off force measurements. Finally, the possibility of AFM measurements of solid surface tension using materials with rough surfaces is discussed.     

微胶囊膜表面化学组成的XPS分析

采用XPS表面表征技术对生物微胶囊膜表面化学组成进行了分析。结果表明,海藻酸钠_壳聚糖_海藻酸钠(ACA)微胶囊表面带负电荷的含C基团与带正电荷的含N基团的相对百分含量分别为30·6%与60·4%,而海藻酸钠_聚赖氨酸_海藻酸钠(APA)微胶囊分别为42·3%与30·0%,因此ACA微胶囊表面比APA微胶囊带更多的正电荷,更有利于蛋白质吸附与细胞粘附。为深入了解生物微胶囊表面引起的机体反应过程、改进微胶囊性能,提供了理论依据。     

Plasma and beam facility atomic oxygen erosion of a transition metal complex

Glassy residues of the complex bis(N,N-disalicylidene-1,2-phenylenediamino)zirconium(IV), Zr(dsp)₂, on glass slides were exposed to atomic oxygen in a plasma asher or an atomic beam facility for various amounts of lime in order to study the erosion process, determine the rate of erosion, and learn the chemical identity of the residue. The exposed films were characterized by weight loss, optical photography, profilometry, diffuse reflectance and total transmittance spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with wavelength dispersive X-ray spectrometry (WDS), X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Results indicate that these films erode much more slowly polyimide (Kapton) film under identical conditions, that the erosion is very nonuniform, and that zirconium dioxide is the predominant product after extended exposure. This complex is currently being evaluated as a polymer additive.     

Surface charge properties of oxides and hydroxides formed on metal substrates determined by contact angle titration

Interactions of naturally oxidized or chemically treated flat metal surfaces with the environment, such as the atmosphere or a polymer coating are extremely important for the practical applications. These interactions are governed by the surface chemistry defined by the number and ionization constants of the surface hydroxyl groups along with the surface charge properties. In the present study, a robust methodology was developed to characterize the chemistry of flat surfaces using the contact angle titration procedure. The point of zero charge on the surface of a series of metal oxides and hydroxides, determined using the proposed methodology, showed consistent correlation with the corresponding values for oxides and hydroxides studied in the powder form. A new model based on the concept of polar and disperse components of the work of adhesion and a simplified version of the triple layer was proposed to explain the evolution of the contact angle with pH. This model covers the wide range of pH and ionic strengths of the test solutions and directly accounts for the adsorption process and speciation on the surface. The adhesion of polymer coatings to the chemically treated metal substrates was also explored. It was shown that there is a linear correlation between the point of zero charge on the surface and the strength of adhesion determined by means of the feathering test. This finding emphasizes the significance of the surface charge properties for predicting the adhesion of coatings.     

Analysis of PPMMA films from oxygen plasma using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

Plasma polymerized methyl methacrylate (PPMMA) films have been synthesised on silicon substrates in RF glow discharge using oxygen plasma. The electron beam delineation sensitivity of the PPMMA films has been studied systematically by varying oxygen and monomer flow rates. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis clearly illustrates how C/O ratio in the films determines the properties of PPMMA films as electron beam resist. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Surface free energy of a solid from contact angle hysteresis

Nature of contact angle hysteresis is discussed basing on the literature data (Colloids Surf. A 189 (2001) 265) of dynamic advancing and receding contact angles of n-alkanes and n-alcohols on a very smooth surface of 1,1,2,-trichloro-1,2,2,-trifluoroethane (FC-732) film deposited on a silicon plate. The authors considered the liquid absorption and/or retention (swelling) processes responsible for the observed hysteresis. In this paper hysteresis is considered to be due to the liquid film left behind the drop during retreating of its contact line. Using the contact angle hysteresis an approach is suggested for evaluation of the solid surface free energy. Molecular spacing and the film structure are discussed to explain the difference in n-alkanes and n-alcohols behaviour as well as to explain the difference between dispersion free energy gamma(s)(d) and total surface free energy gamma(s)(tot) of FC-732, as determined from the advancing contact angles and the hysteresis, respectively.     

Investigation of degradation mechanisms in mechanical properties of polyimide films exposed to a low earth orbit environment

The degradation of the mechanical properties of polyimide films was evaluated by means of tensile tests after exposure to a low earth orbit (LEO) environment. Polyimide films irradiated with atomic oxygen (AO), ultraviolet (UV) light, and electron beam (EB) rays using ground simulation facilities were also evaluated similarly and compared. In these experiments tensile stress (7.0 MPa or less) was applied to the samples in order to assess its effects on mechanical properties. The mechanical properties of the flight samples decreased concomitantly with increased exposure duration. The fracture surfaces exhibited characteristic radiated patterns initiating from the exposed surfaces which showed a rough texture. In the AO-irradiated samples the mechanical properties degraded and the surface texture developed as the AO fluence increased; similar fracture surfaces appeared in the flight samples. In contrast, UV and EB irradiation had little impact on mechanical properties. Based on these results, the eroded surfaces by AO irradiation served as the starting points of the rupture, resulting in degradation of mechanical properties of polyimide films exposed to a LEO environment. The tensile stress states induced no difference in evaluations.     

On the role of energy barriers in determining contact angle hysteresis

The thermodynamic model of contact angles on rough, heterogeneous surfaces developed by Long et al. [J. Long, M.N. Hyder, R.Y.M. Huang and P. Chen, Adv. Colloid Interface Sci. 118 (2005) 173] was employed to study the role of energy barriers in determining contact angle hysteresis. Major energy barriers corresponding to metastable states and minor energy barriers corresponding to secondary metastable states were defined. Distributions of major and/or minor energy barriers as a function of apparent contact angle for various surfaces were obtained. The reproducibility of contact angle measurement, the effect of vibrational energy on contact angle hysteresis and the "stick-slip" phenomenon were discussed. Quantitative relations between contact angles and vibrational energy were obtained. It was found that receding contact angles are normally poorly reproducible for hydrophilic surfaces, but for extremely hydrophobic surfaces, advancing contact angles may have a poor reproducibility. When the vibrational energy available to a system increases, the measured advancing contact angle will decrease while the receding angle will increase until both reach a common value: the system equilibrium angle. This finding not only agrees well with the experimental observations in system equilibrium contact angle measurements, but also lays a theoretical foundation for such measurements. A small vibrational energy may result in a "stick-slip" phenomenon.     

Surface microstructure of bitumen characterized by atomic force microscopy

Bitumen, also called asphalt binder, plays important roles in many industrial applications. It is used as the primary binding agent in asphalt concrete, as a key component in damping systems such as rubber, and as an indispensable additive in paint and ink. Consisting of a large number of hydrocarbons of different sizes and polarities, together with heteroatoms and traces of metals, bitumen displays rich surface microstructures that affect its rheological properties. This paper reviews the current understanding of bitumen's surface microstructures characterized by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Microstructures of bitumen develop to different forms depending on crude oil source, thermal history, and sample preparation method. While some bitumens display surface microstructures with fine domains, flake-like domains, and dendrite structuring, ‘bee-structures’ with wavy patterns several micrometers in diameter and tens of nanometers in height are commonly seen in other binders. Controversy exists regarding the chemical origin of the ‘bee-structures’, which has been related to the asphaltene fraction, the metal content, or the crystallizing waxes in bitumen. The rich chemistry of bitumen can result in complicated intermolecular associations such as coprecipitation of wax and metalloporphyrins in asphaltenes. Therefore, it is the molecular interactions among the different chemical components in bitumen, rather than a single chemical fraction, that are responsible for the evolution of bitumen's diverse microstructures, including the ‘bee-structures’. Mechanisms such as curvature elasticity and surface wrinkling that explain the rippled structures observed in polymer crystals might be responsible for the formation of ‘bee-structures’ in bitumen. Despite the progress made on morphological characterization of bitumen using AFM, the fundamental question whether the microstructures observed on bitumen surfaces represent its bulk structure remains to be addressed. In addition, critical technical challenges associated with AFM characterization of bitumen surface structures are discussed, with possible solutions recommended. For future work, combining AFM with other chemical analysis tools that can generate comparable high resolution to AFM would provide an avenue to linking bitumen's chemistry to its microscopic morphological and mechanical properties and consequently benefit the efforts of developing structure-related models for bituminous materials across the different length scales.     

Native surface structure of natural soil particles determined by combining atomic force microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

A procedure was developed for handling natural soil particles and probing their native surface structure by atomic force microscopy (AFM) under water. This procedure was used to investigate the nanometer scale organisation of organic matter at the surface of sand particles taken from three soil horizons. The latter were selected for the contrasted properties of their organic matter, namely Podzol E and Bh horizons and a Cambisol A–B horizon. The presence of an adsorbed layer was visualised at the surface of Podzol Bh and Cambisol particles in the form of aggregated structures that interacted with the AFM probe. Surface analysis by X-ray photoelectron spectrometry (XPS) confirmed the carbonaceous nature of this adsorbed layer. Displacement of organic matter by the scanning probe was directly evidenced for Podzol Bh sand particles. Such displacement was not observed for Cambisol particles. A dramatic effect of drying on the concentration, nanometer scale distribution and properties of the adsorbed organic matter was clearly demonstrated by combining AFM imaging and XPS analysis. The procedure developed here gives access to direct, nanoscale information of the surface structure of sand particles and offers promising prospects for the characterisation of other environmentally-relevant particles in native conditions.