A facile room temperature layer-by-layer deposition process for the fabrication of ultrathin films with noncentrosymmetrically oriented azobenzene chromophores

Ultrathin films with noncentrosymmetrically orientated azobenzene chromophores were constructed using a combination of layer-by-layer adsorption of polyelectrolytes and the surface sol-gel process.     

Generation of paramagnetic hybrid inorganic/organic thin films

There is a growing interest in developing advanced materials for thin film applications in biology, electronics, photonics and engineering. We report the development of hybrid inorganic/organic thin films containing nickel, iron and cobalt paramagnetic materials. By etching the resist in oxygen plasma after processing, most of the organic component of the resist was removed. The elemental chemical composition of the films was confirmed by energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy. This process can potentially lead to patterning paramagnetic thin films containing paramagnetic materials by following standard photolithography protocols, obviating the need for a wet or vacuum metal deposition. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Liquid crystal polymers containing permanent dipole azobenzene chromophores

Three photochromic monomers containing a permanent dipole photochromic azobenzene group spaced from the methacryloyl moiety by a polymethylene segment were synthesized in three steps starting from 4-cyanoaniline. The monomers were homopolymerized and copolymerized with an optically active monomer, (-)-menthyl methacrylate, in the presence of AIBN as a radical initiator. Structurally similar amphiphilic polymers were obtained by homopolymerization of analogous methacrylates in which oligo(oxyethylene) segments replaced the polymethylene spacers. The polymeric materials, having a molar content of photochromic units between 5 and 100% and molecular weights of about 15,000, were characterized by thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, 1D and 2D NMR. Mobility and photochromic properties in solution were also investigated.     

Polyisobutylene containing organic/inorganic hybrid block copolymers and their crystalline behavior

Block copolymer comprising of polyisobutylene (PIB) soft segment and poly(3‐(3,5,7,9,11,13,15‐heptaisobutyl‐pentacyclo[9.5.1.1^3,9.1^5,15.1^7,13]‐octasiloxane‐1‐yl)propyl methacrylate) (PMAPOSS) hard segment was synthesized by combination of living carbocationic and reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerizations. Block copolymers were characterized by ¹H and ²⁹Si NMR spectroscopy, FT‐IR study, energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX), and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The EDX, combined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed for determination of elemental composition. Thermal transition and degradation behaviors were confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), respectively. Although both the PIB and MAPOSS homopolymers are amorphous in nature, in their block copolymers the PMAPOSS domain showed crystalline behavior, as confirmed from wide‐angle X‐ray scattering (WAXS) technique, DSC studies and polarized optical microscopy (POM). Interestingly, crystalline melting temperatures (T_m) can be tuned by changing the PIB to PMAPOSS block length ratios. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 1125–1133     

Fabrication and properties of thermosensitive organic/inorganic hybrid hydrogel thin films

We report on a facile method for fabricating thermosensitive organic/inorganic hybrid hydrogel thin films from a cross-linkable organic/inorganic hydrid copolymer, poly[ N-isopropylacrylamide- co-3-(trimethoxysilyl)propylmethacrylate] [P(NIPAm- co-TMSPMA)]. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra confirmed the formation of hybrid hydrogel thin films after hydrolysis of the methoxysilyl groups (Si-O-CH 3) and subsequent condensation of the silanol groups (Si-OH). Atomic force microscopy (AFM) images revealed that the surface morphology of the hydrogel thin films depended on the supporting substrates. Microdomains were observed for the hydrogel thin films on a gold surface, which can be attributed to inhomogeneous network structures. The thermoresponsive swelling-deswelling behavior and the viscoelastic properties of the hydrogel thin films were investigated as a function of temperature (25-45 degrees C) by using a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) operated in water. The high frequency shear modulus of the P(NIPAm- co-TMPSMA) hydrogel thin films was several hundred kilopascals.     

Multifunctional inorganic/organic hybrid microgels

This review summarizes recent research dedicated to hybrid colloids combining inorganic nanoparticles and cross-linked polymer networks. We discuss aspects of synthesis, characterization, and application of systems with different morphologies and properties. Due to the large number of works in the field of composite materials, we focus on materials with responsive polymer components, which are dispersed in aqueous media.     

Superior mechanical properties of dense and porous organic/inorganic hybrid thin films

The intrinsic mechanical properties of a given material strongly depend upon its chemical nature: the organics tend to be soft, but tough, while the inorganic materials are hard but brittle and are prone to fracture. The later characteristic gets even worse for porous materials and is of major concern in the microelectronics industry as porous organosilicates (mainly inorganic) will constitute the insulating layers in future electronic devices. In this paper, we demonstrate that significantly tougher organosilicate glass thin-films prepared by sol–gel process, can be obtained by introducing carbon bridging units between silicon atoms present in the organosilicate network. A fracture energy value of 15 J/m² was measured, surprisingly higher than that for dense silicon dioxide (10 J/m²), suggesting mechanical properties that lie somewhere in between those of conventional glasses and organic polymers. We also found that the Young’s modulus follows a linear decay when porosity is introduced, a unique property when compared to traditional organosilicates. As a result, crack resistant films were obtained at high levels of porosity, opening potential applications in the fields of low-k materials for future integrated circuits, membranes, sensors, waveguides, fuel cells and micro-fluidic channels.     

Photocurable silica hybrid organic–inorganic films for photonic applications

This paper reports the detailed preparation process of Eu²⁺ activated Sr₃Al₂O₆ by a sol-gel method in the reducing atmosphere. The effect of the calcining temperature on the microstructure, crystalline particle morphology and luminescence properties of Sr₃Al₂O₆:Eu²⁺ is systematically discussed. X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetry-differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and fluorescence spectrophotometer were employed to characterize the phosphor. The Sr₃Al₂O₆:Eu²⁺ phosphor powders calcined at 1200 °C for 2 h possessed a Sr₃Al₂O₆ single cubic phase. The Sr₃Al₂O₆:Eu²⁺ crystallites showed flower-like morphology. The Sr₃Al₂O₆:Eu²⁺ phosphor powders exhibited a red broad emission band with emission peak at 612 nm under 472 nm excitation. Especially the Sr₃Al₂O₆:Eu²⁺ phosphor powders prepared at 1200 °C showed the strongest luminescence intensity, due to the pure phase and higher crystallinity of Sr₃Al₂O₆.     

Light-activated hybrid organic/inorganic antimicrobial coatings

Light-activated antimicrobial coatings were obtained by the covalently immobilizing photo-sensitizers in a hybrid organic/inorganic matrix. These coatings were deposited via sol-gel chemistry using epoxy and methyl functional silanes. The light-activated chromophores used in this study were Methylene Blue, Toluidine Blue O, and Rose Bengal. The immobilized photo-sensitizers did not leach from the coatings. The mechanically durable hybrid coatings comprising 2.5% by weight of Rose Bengal had a good adhesion to the glass surface. These coatings were tested for the photo-deactivation of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus using illumination by a commercial fluorescent lamp. Log reduction of E. coli and S. aureus were >4 when illuminated by the fluorescent lamp in 1 and 3?h, respectively. Due to its high mechanical durability and chemical resistance, such light-activated hybrid coatings are promising candidates for indoor applications in healthcare facilities.

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Synthesis and polymerization of amphiphilic methacrylates containing permanent dipole azobenzene chromophores

New amphiphilic photochromic methacrylates with the structures of 4‐[ω‐methacryloyloxyoligo(ethyleneglycol)]‐4′‐cyanoazobenzene (MEn) and 4‐methacryloyloxy‐4′‐{2‐cyano‐3‐oxy‐3‐[ω‐methoxyoligo(ethyleneglycol)]prop‐1‐en‐1‐yl}azobenzene (MEnMe) and oligo(oxyethylene) segments of different lengths were synthesized. These methacrylates were characterized by the presence of permanent dipole azobenzene chromophores and hydrophilic oligo (oxyethylene) segments. The methacrylates were obtained with six‐step and five‐step synthetic sequences, respectively, in 12–47% overall yields. The radical polymerization of the MEn monomers afforded a 50% yield of the corresponding polymers as orange solids with a number‐average molecular weight of about 40 kD. No solid polymer was obtained from the radical polymerization of the MEnME compounds. Two‐dimensional NMR spectra allowed the unequivocal assignment of the NMR signals and demonstrated a significant contribution of internal charge transfer to the electronic distribution of the azobenzene chromophore. Relaxation time measurements confirmed that the flexible polyether segment effectively decoupled photochromic groups from the polymer backbone. Optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry analysis, and X‐ray diffraction data demonstrated the presence of interdigitated smectic mesophases. The stability of mesophases showed a significant dependence on the chemical structure of the analyzed compounds. The glass‐transition temperatures of the polymers were rather low because of the plasticizing effect of the spacers. The monomers and polymers were used for the deposition of Langmuir films and Langmuir–Blodgett–Kuhn multilayers. A strong influence of the macromolecular structure on the film properties was observed. The photoresponsive properties of monomers and polymers were investigated with irradiation at different wavelengths. Isomerization kinetics were independent of both molecular weight and spacer length. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 39: 2957–2977, 2001     

Layer-by-layer engineered Co-Al hydroxide nanosheets/graphene multilayer films as flexible electrode for supercapacitor

Multilayer films of Co-Al layered double hydroxide nanosheets (Co-Al LDH-NS) and graphene oxide (GO) were fabricated through layer-by-layer (LBL) assembly. By using a three-electrode system, the electrochemical performances of the films were investigated to evaluate their potential as electrode materials to be used in flexible supercapacitor devices. The Co-Al LDH-NS/GO multilayer films exhibited a high specific capacitance of 880 F/g and area capacitance of 70 F/m(2) under the scan rate of 5 mV/s. And the film exhibited good cycle stability over 2000 cycles. After treating the films at 200 °C in H(2) atmosphere, the specific capacitance and area capacitance were largely increased up to 1204 F/g and 90 F/m(2) due to partial reduction of GO. A flexible electrode by depositing Co-Al LDH-NS/GO multilayer film onto PET substrate was prepared to show the potential of Co-Al LDH-NS/GO films for flexible energy storage.     

Network structure of inorganic/organic hybrid gels

Two series of inorganic/organic hybrid gels were prepared by the sol-gel reaction of triethoxysilyl-terminated poly(tetramethylene oxide) and tetraethoxysilane. The structure of hybrid gels was observed by small-angle X-ray scattering, and the scattered profiles were analysed by assuming a priori the density correlation functions. The results suggest that the hybrid gel is composed of organic-rich, inorganic-rich and organic/inorganic mixed regions. The size and structure of respective regions were discussed in terms of the correlation lengths evaluated from the scattering profiles.     

Air-water interfacial behavior of linear-dendritic block copolymers containing PEG and azobenzene chromophores

Fabrication of Langmuir films at the air-water interface of four linear-dendritic block copolymers (LDBCs) is described. The LDBCs are composed of a linear hydrophilic chain of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and the first four generations of hydrophobic aliphatic polyester dendrons functionalized at the periphery with cyanoazobenzene chromophores. Langmuir films of the LDBCs, coded as PEG-AZOn (n indicates the number of cyanoazobenzene units at the periphery of the dendritic block), have been characterized by a combination of surface pressure versus area per molecule isotherms, UV-vis reflection spectroscopy and Brewster angle microscopy. The observed PEG-AZOn Langmuir film behavior depends strongly on the hydrophilic/hydrophobic ratio. A typical transition, related to PEG chains desorption from the air-water interface into the water subphase is observed for all the LDBCs, except for PEG-AZO16. In addition, PEG-AZO2 and PEG-AZO4 show a second transition whose nature has been studied in detail. Azobenzene chromophore interactions have been shown to be relevant in the organization of PEG-AZOn (n=4, 8 and 16) Langmuir films. Moreover, for PEG-AZO16 the orientation of the azobenzene units has been determined, revealing the formation of a well organized structure of azobenzene moieties at the air-water interface.     

Photoinduced chirality in achiral liquid crystalline polymethacrylates containing bisazobenzene and azobenzene chromophores

One new liquid crystalline polymer containing bisazobenzene, poly[4-{(2-methacryloyloxyethyl)oxy}-4′-(4-nitrophenylazo)azobenzene] (PM2BAN), and two liquid crystalline polymers containing azobenzenes with spacers of two and six methylene units, poly[(4-(4′-nitrophenylazo)phenyloxy)x-methylene methacrylate] (PMxAN, x = 2, 6), were synthesized and characterized. The level and rate of photoinduced chirality were studied in films of the achiral polymers by irradiation with one handed circularly polarized light (CPL) at 442 nm. The results of circular dichroism (CD) suggest that left-CPL induces left helical arrangements of the polymers and right-CPL reverses the resulting arrangements into right helices. Photoinduced chirality in film of PM2BAN is increased with the increase of irradiation time. However, the level and rate of photoinduced chirality in film of PM2BAN are lower than those in films of PMxAN (x = 2, 6) at similar irradiation time. Compared with PM2AN, photoinduced CD values are higher in PM6AN. The results are discussed in terms of interactions between azobenzene chromophores and circularly polarized light.     

Dye-activated hybrid organic/inorganic mesostructured titania waveguides

A room-temperature synthesis route for the fabrication of a new type of hybrid organic/inorganic mesostructured material based on titania instead of silica as the inorganic component has been developed. This approach enables facile processing of the titania/block copolymer surfactant precursor solution into optically activated, transparent, and crack-free fibers and planar waveguides with adjustable thickness. Stabilization of the structures occurs upon solvent evaporation by formation of a solid, glasslike material without heat treatment. These dye-activated, high refractive index, titania-based composites show efficient waveguiding and mirrorless lasing at low thresholds without the need of an ultralow refractive index support layer.     

Layer-by-layer assembled protein/polymer hybrid films: nanoconstruction via specific recognition

In the present study it is shown that streptavidin-containing multilayer films with varying numbers of polyelectrolyte spacer layers can be fabricated reproducibly using optimized deposition conditions. Direct alternation of streptavidin and PLB leads to multilayer systems with an average streptavidin thickness of 5.3 nm which is in good agreement with the dimensions of the protein. When the streptavidin layers are spacered by more polyelectrolyte layers the distance between the protein sheets is increased up to e.g. 6.5 nm in the case of (PLB/PSS/PAH/PSS/PLB) as spacer layer. X-ray reflectivity reveals that streptavidin increases the surface roughness of the films probably due to the rigid three-dimensional structure of the protein. The control of surface roughness seems to be essential for a successful multilayer build-up. The property of PLB to provide for multilayer construction by two different interactions (electrostatic and specific) allowed to probe the interpenetration depth of adjacent layers. For the [PLB/(PSS/PL)₂/streptavidin] system an interpenetration depth of about 4 polymer layers corresponding to approximately 3.4 nm has been derived. These data are in agreement with a model for pure polyelectrolyte films obtained from neutron and X-ray reflectivity data.     

Layer-by-layer deposited multilayer films of oligo(pyrenebutyric acid) and a perylene diimide derivative: structure and photovoltaic properties

Multilayer films of oligo(pyrenebutyric acid) (OPB) and N,N'-bis(N,N-dimethylaminopropylaminopropyl)-3,4,9,10-perylenediimide (BDMAPAP-PDI) were successfully fabricated by layer-by-layer deposition. Multilayer growth was monitored by ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, ellipsometry, and atomic force microscopy (AFM). It was found that extraction was scarcely observed although both components (OPB and BDMAPAP-PDI) have low molecular weights and both electrostatic interactions and pi-pi stacking contributed to the multilayer deposition. The multilayers exhibit a rapid photocurrent response, and excitations of both OPB and BDMAPAP-PDI can lead to the effective charge dissociation. The incident photon to current conversion efficiency (IPCE) of the composite film with 5 bilayers was measured to be 1.29% at the absorption peak of BDMAPAP-PDI. Fluorescence quenching and photovoltaic conversion studies indicated that strong photoinduced charge transfer interactions occurred at the area of OPB/BDMAPAP-PDI heterojunction in the films, which strongly enhanced the photoresponse of the multilayer films.     

Review of the recent progress in photoresponsive molecularly imprinted polymers containing azobenzene chromophores

Photoresponsive molecularly imprinted polymers (PMIPs) containing azobenzene have received wide research attention in recent years and made notable achievements. This article reviews the recent developments on PMIPs containing azobenzene. Topics include the following: (i) brief introduction of azobenzene, molecularly imprinted polymers, and PMIPs containing azobenzene; (ii) progress in functional monomers, cross-linkers, and polymerization conditions; (iii) preparation methods, properties, applications, as well as advantages and disadvantages of conventional PMIPs; (iv) substrate, preparation method, and applications of photoresponsive surface molecularly imprinted polymers; and (v) some perspectives for further development of PMIPs containing azobenzene.