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Polymer Films (polymer + film)
Kinds of Polymer Films Selected AbstractsPorous Polymer Films with Gradient-Refractive-Index Structure for Broadband and Omnidirectional Antireflection CoatingsADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 2 2010Xiao Li Abstract Porous polymer films that can be employed for broadband and omnidirectional antireflection coatings are successfully shown. These films form a gradient-refractive-index structure and are achieved by spin-coating the solution of a polystyrene-block-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PS-b-PMMA)/PMMA blend onto an octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS)-modified glass substrate. Thus, a gradient distribution of PMMA domains in the vertical direction of the entire microphase-separated film is obtained. After those PMMA domains are removed, a PS porous structure with an excellent gradient porosity ratio in the vertical direction of the film is formed. Glass substrates coated with such porous polymer film exhibit both broadband and omnidirectional antireflection properties because the refractive index increases gradually from the top to the bottom of the film. An excellent transmittance of >97% for both visible and near-infrared (NIR) light is achieved in these gradient-refractive-index structures. When the incident angle is increased, the total transmittance for three different incident angles is improved dramatically. Meanwhile, the film possesses a color reproduction character in the visible light range. [source] Polymer Films Composed of Surface-Bound Nanofilaments with a High Aspect Ratio, Molecularly Imprinted with Small Molecules and ProteinsADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 8 2009Ana Valvanuz Linares Abstract Hierarchically nanostructured materials that combine two or more levels of structuring and that exhibit a combination of useful features have gained considerable interest over recent years. Here, the generation of surface-bound nanofilaments with a high aspect ratio by nanomolding on a nanoporous template surface is described. The filaments, at the same time, carry molecularly imprinted binding sites. The dye fluorescein and the protein myoglobin are used as model templates for imprinting. The surfaces exhibit specific binding as revealed by fluorescence microscopy. The wetting properties of the surfaces depend on the dimensions of the nanofilaments and on the nature of the polymer. It is believed that these materials can potentially be useful for applications in biosensors and biochips. [source] Dramatic Morphology Control in the Fabrication of Porous Polymer Films,ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 22 2008Luke A. Connal Abstract Highly ordered, porous honeycomb films are prepared by the breath-figure (BF) technique using dendron-functionalized star polymers as precursors. By changing the nature of the dendritic end groups, dramatically different porous morphologies can be produced. Three series of star polymers are prepared with both the size of the 2,2-bis(methoxy)propionic acid (bis-MPA)-based dendron end group and the dendron functionality being varied. Star polymers end-functionalized with acetonide-protected dendrons (generations 1 to 4) are initially prepared and the acetonide groups subsequently deprotected to yield hydroxyl-functionalized star polymers. Modification of these hydroxyl groups with pentadecafluorooctanoyl chloride yields a third series of functionalized star polymers. The resulting star polymers have surface groups with very different polarity and by utilizing these star polymers to form honeycomb films by the BF technique, the morphology produced is dramatically different. The star polymers with amphiphilic character afford interconnected porous morphologies with multiple layers of pores. The star polymers with pentadecafluorooctanoyl end groups show highly ordered monolayers of pores with extremely thin walls and represent a new porous morphology that has previously not been reported. The ability to prepare libraries of different dendronized star polymers has given further insights into the BF technique and allows the final porous morphology to be controllably tuned utilizing the functional chain ends and generation number of the dendronized star polymers. [source] Cover Picture: A Novel Method to Orient Semiconducting Polymer Films (Adv. Funct.ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 7 2005Mater. Abstract A new technique for orienting thin polymer semiconductor films is reported by Österbacka and co-workers on p.,1095. The technique uses the mechanical force of a shrinking polymer transferred through a polymer multilayer structure. The orientation is obtained using three polymer layers, where the uppermost layer shrinks resulting in orientation of the semiconductor film beneath the intermediate layer. The topmost and intermediate polymer films are removed to reveal the oriented surface. The cover shows a crossed-polarizer microscopy image of an oriented regio-regular poly(3-hexylthiophene) film. We present a new technique for orienting polymer semiconductor thin films. In our technique, polymer chains are rigorously oriented without using any mechanical tools and with minimal risk of film contamination. The technique is based on the mechanical force resulting from the in-plane shrinkage exerted by a shrinker (top layer) that is used to orient the semiconductor beneath an intermediate layer; the latter acting as a force mediator. The chain orientation is demonstrated by several techniques such as crossed-polarizer microscopy, atomic force microscopy, grazing-incidence X-ray diffraction, and polarized absorption. The orientation geometry is controlled by the shrinking process and the shrinker area. The semiconductivity of the film only stems from the transistor device structures under study, and the method can therefore be generalized. [source] Photogeneration of High Pretilt Angles of Nematic Liquid Crystals by Non-Polarized Light Irradiation of Azobenzene-Containing Polymer Films,ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 3 2004S. Furumi Abstract A vertical-alignment (VA) cell of nematic liquid crystals (LCs) was prepared using photoirradiated thin films of a poly(methacrylate) with mesogenic moieties of 4-trifluoromethoxyazobenzene as the side chains. Optical anisotropy was generated by oblique irradiation of the azobenzene-containing polymer films with non-polarized UV light, followed by annealing treatment to enhance the photodichroism, which displayed thermal stability. The combination of oblique exposure to non-polarized UV light and subsequent annealing treatment brought about high pretilt angles of nematic LCs so that a photoaligned VA LC cell was fabricated. The photopatterned LC cell exhibited electro-optical properties with excellent optical quality when a voltage was applied even after heating at 100,°C for several hours. [source] Color- and Reflectance-Tunable Multiple Reflectors Assembled from Three Polymer FilmsADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 14 2010Na Young Ha Tunings of reflectance and colors of multiple photonic bandgaps are demonstrated in the whole visible region by changing the polarization state of incident light. Two tunable systems are assembled from the same three materials of an anisotropic polymeric nematic liquid crystal film and two kinds of isotropic polymer film. The only difference between the two systems is the stacking sequence. [source] Layer-by-Layer Hydrogen-Bonded Polymer Films: From Fundamentals to ApplicationsADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 30 2009Eugenia Kharlampieva Abstract Recent years have seen increasing interest in the construction of nanoscopically layered materials involving aqueous-based sequential assembly of polymers on solid substrates. In the booming research area of layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly of oppositely charged polymers, self-assembly driven by hydrogen bond formation emerges as a powerful technique. Hydrogen-bonded (HB) LbL materials open new opportunities for LbL films, which are more difficult to produce than their electrostatically assembled counterparts. Specifically, the new properties associated with HB assembly include: 1) the ease of producing films responsive to environmental pH at mild pH values, 2) numerous possibilities for converting HB films into single- or two-component ultrathin hydrogel materials, and 3) the inclusion of polymers with low glass transition temperatures (e.g., poly(ethylene oxide)) within ultrathin films. These properties can lead to new applications for HB LbL films, such as pH- and/or temperature-responsive drug delivery systems, materials with tunable mechanical properties, release films dissolvable under physiological conditions, and proton-exchange membranes for fuel cells. In this report, we discuss the recent developments in the synthesis of LbL materials based on HB assembly, the study of their structure,property relationships, and the prospective applications of HB LbL constructs in biotechnology and biomedicine. [source] Nanopatterning via Pressure-Induced Instabilities in Thin Polymer FilmsADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 20 2009Ximin He The residual stresses in spin-coated films can be exploited to produce highly controlled nanoscale patterns via pressure-induced local rupturing and dewetting of thin films. Residue-free holes as small as 28,nm in diameter formed over large areas by pressing sharp stamps into polymer films at temperatures well below the glass transition temperature. [source] A Simple Method for the Attachment of Polymer Films on Solid Substrates,ADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 3 2003M. Yan The immobilization of polymer thin films on solid substrates has been achieved using a very simple method, involving spin coating the polymer, followed by UV irradiation. A robust film remains on the substrate surface after solvent extraction. The procedure could be employed to fabricate patterned polymer thin films via photolithography (see Figure). [source] Two Coexisting Modes in Field-Assisted AFM Nanopatterning of Thin Polymer FilmsMACROMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS, Issue 13 2008Xian Ning Xie Abstract Two coexisting mechanisms, i.e., electrohydrodynamic destabilization and electrostatic detachment, for polymer nanostructuring in field-assisted atomic force microscope nanolithography are presented. The electrohydrodynamic destabilization mechanism is based on the surface instability of molten polymer film in the form of surface waves, and it leads to the formation of well defined polymeric wave patterns. The electrostatic detachment mechanism is associated with nano-blister formation caused by pre-existing defects, such as buried cavities in the polymer, and is responsible for the creation of hollow pillar-like structures. Here, the coexistence and pattern formation probability of the two polymer patterning modes under similar nanolithographic conditions are discussed. It was found that the field strength and the efficiency of probe-induced joule heating can significantly change the flow property of the polymer, which eventually leads to the occurrence of the two modes. The results presented here are useful in obtaining a complete picture of the diverse behaviors of polymers in AFM nanolithographic operations. [source] Conductivity of Oriented Bis-azo Polymer FilmsCHEMPHYSCHEM, Issue 2 2006Dirk Apitz Abstract The conductivity properties of electro-optic, photoaddressable, dense bis-azo chromophore polymer films are investigated by using samples corona poled at various temperatures. A dielectric spectrometer is applied to measure the frequency dependence of the conductivity at different temperatures before and after heating the material to above the glass transition temperature. The results show that the orientation of the chromophores changes the charge-carrier mobility. Ionic conductivity dominates in a more disordered configuration of the material, while the competing process of hole hopping takes over as a transition to a liquid-crystalline phase occurs when the material is heated to much higher than the glass transition temperature. Such microcrystallization strongly enhances the conductivity. [source] New Cyclic Olefin Copolymer for the Preparation of Thermally Responsive Luminescent FilmsMACROMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS, Issue 9 2009Filippo Donati Abstract Polymer films with optical properties as indicators to thermal stress were obtained through the controlled dispersion of moderate amounts (,0.1 wt.-%) of the 4,4,-bis(2-benzoxazolyl)stilbene (BBS) dye into a new semicrystalline ethylene-norbornene (E - co - N, N content of 15.3 mol.-%) copolymer characterized by a glass transition temperature (Tg) of about 64,°C. All the pristine films showed optical characteristics coming from noninteracting BBS chromophores. In contrast permanent optical changes were detected after film annealing at a T,,,Tg due to the variation of the BBS supramolecular structure. The easy modulation of the optical features of polymer films by thermal perturbations suggests applications as threshold temperature visual indicators in thermoplastic materials. [source] Ultrathin, Organic, Semiconductor/Polymer Blends by Scanning Corona-Discharge Coating for High-Performance Organic Thin-Film TransistorsADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 17 2010Hee Joon Jung Abstract A new thin-film coating process, scanning corona-discharge coating (SCDC), to fabricate ultrathin tri-isopropylsilylethynyl pentacene (TIPS-PEN)/amorphous-polymer blend layers suitable for high-performance, bottom-gate, organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs) is described. The method is based on utilizing the electrodynamic flow of gas molecules that are corona-discharged at a sharp metallic tip under a high voltage and subsequently directed towards a bottom electrode. With the static movement of the bottom electrode, on which a blend solution of TIPS-PEN and an amorphous polymer is deposited, SCDC provides an efficient route to produce uniform blend films with thicknesses of less than one hundred nanometers, in which the TIPS-PEN and the amorphous polymer are vertically phase-separated into a bilayered structure with a single-crystalline nature of the TIPS-PEN. A bottom-gate field-effect transistor with a blend layer of TIPS-PEN/polystyrene (PS) (90/10 wt%) operated at ambient conditions, for example, indeed exhibits a highly reliable device performance with a field-effect mobility of approximately 0.23 cm2 V,1 s,1: two orders of magnitude greater than that of a spin-coated blend film. SCDC also turns out to be applicable to other amorphous polymers, such as poly(, -methyl styrene) and poly(methyl methacrylate) and, readily combined with the conventional transfer-printing technique, gives rise to micropatterned arrays of TIPS-PEN/polymer films. [source] Voltammetric Determination of Mercury(II) at Poly(3-hexylthiophene) Film Electrode.ELECTROANALYSIS, Issue 24 2007Effect of Halide Ions Abstract The well-known method for the determination of mercury(II), which is based on the anodic stripping voltammetry of mercury(II), has been adapted for applications at the thin film poly(3-hexylthiophene) polymer electrode. Halide ions have been found to increase the sensitivity of the mercury response and shift it more positive potentials. This behavior is explained by formation of mercuric halide which can be easily deposited and stripped from the polymer electrode surface. The procedure was optimized for mercury determination. For 120,s accumulation time, detection limit of 5,ng mL,1 mercury(II) has been observed. The relative standard deviation is 1.3% at 40,ng mL,1 mercury(II). The performance of the polymer film studied in this work was evaluated in the presence of surfactants and some potential interfering metal ions such as cadmium, lead, copper and nickel. [source] Polydivinylbenzene/Ethylvinylbenzene Composite Membranes for the Optimization of a Whole Blood Glucose SensorELECTROANALYSIS, Issue 1 2006Kerry Bridge Abstract A novel ultra thin polydivinylbenzene/ethylvinylbenzene composite membrane has been developed for use as the outer covering barrier in a model amperometric glucose oxidase enzyme electrode. The composite membrane was formed via the cathodic electropolymerization of divinylbenzene/ethylvinylbenzene at the surface of gold sputter coated host alumina membranes, (serving solely as a mechanical support for the thin polymer film). Permeability coefficients were determined for the enzyme substrates, O2 and glucose, across composite membranes formed with a range of polymer thicknesses. Due to the highly substrate diffusion limiting nature of the composite membrane, it was found that anionic interferents present in blood (such as ascorbate), were effectively screened from the working electrode via a charge exclusion mechanism, in a manner similar to previous findings within our laboratory. The enzyme electrode showed an initial 32% signal drift when first exposed to whole human blood over a period of 2 hours, after which time enzyme electrode responses remained essentially stable. Whole blood patient glucose determinations yielded a correlation coefficient of r2=0.97 in comparison to standard hospital analyses. [source] Electrochemical Overoxidation of Polyindole and Its Cation-Permselective BehaviorELECTROANALYSIS, Issue 12 2004Mihaela Ghita Abstract Polyindole films prepared by potentiostatic growth in dichloromethane solution were subjected to overoxidation studies in aqueous media. Overoxidation at potentials greater than 1.1,V (vs. SCE) in 0.1,M KNO3 or 0.1,M H2SO4 was possible. Overoxidation in 0.1,M NaOH resulted in mechanically unstable films which were not adherent to the electrode surface. The overoxidation process in 0.1,M KNO3 involved removal of one electron per four indole monomer moieties in the polymer film. Nucleophilic attack led to introduction of carboxylate functionality and to cation permselective behavior, as tested by cyclic voltammetry and hydrodynamic voltammetry of hexamminoruthenium(III) and hexacyanoferrate(III). Such films may be useful in various electrochemical sensor applications. [source] Electrocatalytic Properties of Electropolymerized Ni(II)curcumin ComplexELECTROANALYSIS, Issue 5-6 2003Aleksander Ciszewski Abstract The voltammetric behavior in alkaline solution of a nickel-based chemically modified electrode (poly-Ni(II)curcumin) prepared by oxidative electropolymerization of nickel-curcumin complex for electrooxidation of aliphatic alcohols was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and rotating disk technique (curcumin=1,7-bis[4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl]-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione). The dependence of the oxidation current on the alcohol concentration and on the number of redox centers Ni(II)/Ni(III) is discussed. From the fact that the oxidation current increases with the increase of film thickness it is evident that the electrocatalytic reaction occurs inside the polymer film. The system examined is a typical example of a redox polymer with 3D properties. It is also concluded that the reaction mechanism of alcohol oxidation is the case, according to the concept of Andrieux and Saveant, where the cross-exchange reaction is the limiting step. The mechanism of modifying the film formation has also been discussed. [source] Temperature-Responsive Substrates: Adhesion and Mechanical Properties of PNIPAM Microgel Films and Their Potential Use as Switchable Cell Culture Substrates (Adv. Funct.ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 19 2010Mater. Abstract Thermoresponsive poly(N -isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) microgel films are shown to allow controlled detachment of adsorbed cells via temperature stimuli. Cell response occurs on the timescale of several minutes, is reversible, and allows for harvesting of cells in a mild fashion. The fact that microgels are attached non-covalently allows using them on a broad variety of (charged) surfaces and is a major advantage as compared to approaches relying on covalent attachment of active films. In the following, the microgels' physico-chemical parameters in the adsorbed state and their changes upon temperature variation are studied in order to gain a deeper understanding of the involved phenomena. By means of atomic force microscopy (AFM), the water content, mechanical properties, and adhesion forces of the microgel films are studied as a function of temperature. The analysis shows that these properties change drastically when crossing the critical temperature of the polymer film, which is the basis of the fast cell response upon temperature changes. Furthermore, nanoscale mechanical analysis shows that the films posses a nanoscopic gradient in mechanical properties. [source] Adhesion and Mechanical Properties of PNIPAM Microgel Films and Their Potential Use as Switchable Cell Culture SubstratesADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 19 2010Stephan Schmidt Abstract Thermoresponsive poly(N -isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) microgel films are shown to allow controlled detachment of adsorbed cells via temperature stimuli. Cell response occurs on the timescale of several minutes, is reversible, and allows for harvesting of cells in a mild fashion. The fact that microgels are attached non-covalently allows using them on a broad variety of (charged) surfaces and is a major advantage as compared to approaches relying on covalent attachment of active films. In the following, the microgels' physico-chemical parameters in the adsorbed state and their changes upon temperature variation are studied in order to gain a deeper understanding of the involved phenomena. By means of atomic force microscopy (AFM), the water content, mechanical properties, and adhesion forces of the microgel films are studied as a function of temperature. The analysis shows that these properties change drastically when crossing the critical temperature of the polymer film, which is the basis of the fast cell response upon temperature changes. Furthermore, nanoscale mechanical analysis shows that the films posses a nanoscopic gradient in mechanical properties. [source] Electropolymerization of a Bifunctional Ionic Liquid Monomer Yields an Electroactive Liquid-Crystalline PolymerADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 13 2010Sungwon Lee Abstract The preparation and polymerization of a bifunctional imidazolium-based ionic liquid (IL) monomer that incorporates both a vinyl group and a thiophene moiety is reported. Potentiodynamic electropolymerization of the monomer produces an optically birefringent polymer film that strongly adheres to the electrode surface. Fourier transform IR spectroscopy shows that polymerization occurs through both the vinyl and thienyl groups. Cylic voltammetry (CV) is used to determine the polymer oxidation potential (1.66,V) and electrochemical bandgap, Eg, of 2.45,eV. The polymer exhibits electrochromism, converting from yellow in the neutral form (,max,=,380,nm) to blue in the polaronic state at 0.6,V (,max,=,672,nm) and to blue-grey in the bipolaronic state at 1.2,V (,max,>,800,nm). Topographic atomic force microscopy (AFM) images reveal isolated (separated) fibrils. Grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS) studies indicate a lamellar structure with a lattice spacing of 3.2,nm. Wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) studies further suggest that the polymerized thiophene sheets are oriented perpendicular to the polymerized vinylimidazolium. The electrical conductivity, as determined by four-probe dc conductivity measurements was found to be 0.53,S cm,1 in the neutral form and 2.36,S cm,1 in the iodine-doped state, values higher than typically observed for polyalkylthiophenes. The structural ordering is believed to contribute to the observed enhancement of the electrical conductivity. [source] Grayscale Photopatterning of an Amorphous Polymer Thin Film Prepared by Photopolymerization of a Bisanthracene-Functionalized Liquid-Crystalline MonomerADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 10 2010Hideyuki Kihara Abstract A method for grayscale photopatterning of an amorphous polymer film derived from a bisanthracene-functionalized liquid-crystalline monomer is developed. Solution photopolymerization of a monomer with two anthracene moieties, one at each end, affords an amorphous polymer. A combination of irradiation with patterned UV light and heating results in photopatterning on thin films prepared from the polymer. On non-irradiated areas of the film, the polymer reverts to the monomer owing to the thermal back-reaction of the anthracene photodimer, forming an ordered phase. On irradiated areas remaining in the amorphous phase, the thermal back-reaction is suppressed. This phenomenon results in a clear contrast and visual images on the film under polarized light. Grayscale photopatterning is also made possible for the solution-polymerized polymer by controlling the intensity of exposure. In addition, rewritable photopatterning can be achieved by melt photopolymerization of the monomer. The new photopatterning is essentially nondestructive because it needs neither image development nor anthracene-excitation light for reading. [source] Nanopatterning by an Integrated Process Combining Capillary Force Lithography and Microcontact PrintingADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 4 2010Xuexin Duan Abstract A novel nanopatterning process was developed by combining capillary force lithography (CFL) and microcontact printing (µCP). Flat polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) was used as the substrate in CFL, and after chemical functionalization, as the stamp in µCP, which increased the resolution of both methods. The polymer patterns, produced by CFL on a thin polymer film on the flat PDMS substrate, acted as a mask to oxidize the uncovered regions of the PDMS. The chemical patterns were subsequently formed by gas phase evaporation of a fluorinated silane. After removal of the polymer, these stamps were used to transfer thiol inks to a gold substrate by µCP. Gold patterns at a scale of less than 100,nm were successfully replicated by these chemically patterned flat PDMS stamps. [source] Porous Polymer Films with Gradient-Refractive-Index Structure for Broadband and Omnidirectional Antireflection CoatingsADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 2 2010Xiao Li Abstract Porous polymer films that can be employed for broadband and omnidirectional antireflection coatings are successfully shown. These films form a gradient-refractive-index structure and are achieved by spin-coating the solution of a polystyrene-block-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PS-b-PMMA)/PMMA blend onto an octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS)-modified glass substrate. Thus, a gradient distribution of PMMA domains in the vertical direction of the entire microphase-separated film is obtained. After those PMMA domains are removed, a PS porous structure with an excellent gradient porosity ratio in the vertical direction of the film is formed. Glass substrates coated with such porous polymer film exhibit both broadband and omnidirectional antireflection properties because the refractive index increases gradually from the top to the bottom of the film. An excellent transmittance of >97% for both visible and near-infrared (NIR) light is achieved in these gradient-refractive-index structures. When the incident angle is increased, the total transmittance for three different incident angles is improved dramatically. Meanwhile, the film possesses a color reproduction character in the visible light range. [source] Fabrication of Ordered Nanostructured Arrays Using Poly(dimethylsiloxane) Replica Molds Based on Three-Dimensional Colloidal CrystalsADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 10 2009Hong Kyoon Choi Abstract Hexagonally arrayed structures of colloidal crystals with uniform surface are a good candidate for master molds to be used in soft lithography. Here, the fabrication of periodically arrayed nanostructures using poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) molds based on three-dimensionally (3D) ordered colloidal crystals is reported. A robust, high-quality 3D colloidal-crystal master molds is prepared using the colloidal suspension containing a water-soluble polymer. The surface patterns of the 3D colloidal crystals can then be transferred onto a polymer film via soft lithography, by means of the replication of the surface pattern with PDMS. Various hexagonally arrayed nanostructure patterns can be fabricated, including close-packed and non-close-packed 2D arrays and honeycomb structures by the structural modification of the 3D colloidal-crystal templates. The replicated hexagonally arrayed structures can also be used as templates for producing colloidal crystals with 2D superlattices. [source] Red,Yellow Fluorescence Patterning of a Polymer Film Containing Phthalimido Carbamate GroupsADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 17 2007H. Chae Abstract Bicolor fluorescent micro-patterns in the polymer film are prepared through the use of a new group of photobase generator containing phthalimido carbamate groups. The photobase generation from phthalimide carbamates is studied by examining the changes in pH, fluorescence intensity, and photo-crosslinking of poly(glycidyl methacrylate). The product analysis of a model compound indicates that amine groups are produced from the photolytic cleavage of the C,N bond of the phthalimide carbamate groups. A copolymer containing phthalimide carbamate groups is applied to a bicolor fluorescent imaging material. Red-yellow fluorescent micropatterns are obtained by treating the copolymer film, which is irradiated with 254 nm UV light through a photomask, with fluorescamine and rhodamine, consecutively. Various colored fluorescent micropatterns , green, red, or red-yellow, are obtained on a single polymer film by varying the excitation wavelength. [source] Palladium Nanowire from Precursor Nanowire: Crystal-to-Crystal Transformation via In,Situ Reduction by Polymer Matrix,ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 14 2007S. Porel Abstract Precursor nanowires of potassium palladium(II) chloride crystallized inside a poly(vinyl alcohol) film are reduced to palladium nanowires by the polymer itself under mild thermal annealing. The chemical reaction occurring in situ inside the polymer film, including byproduct formation, is investigated through electronic absorption and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy together with atomic force and electron microscopy. The overall process can be described as a novel case of crystal-to-crystal transformation at the nanoscopic level. Optical limiting characteristics of the nanowire-embedded polymer film are explored. The fabrication procedure developed, involving chemistry inside a polymer matrix mediated by the polymer, opens up a convenient route to the fabrication of free-standing metal nanowire-embedded thin films. [source] From Molecular Machines to Microscale Motility of Objects: Application as "Smart Materials", Sensors, and NanodevicesADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 5 2007I. Willner Abstract Machinelike operations are common functions in biological systems, and substantial recent research efforts are directed to mimic such processes at the molecular or nanoscale dimensions. The present Feature Article presents three complementary approaches to design machinelike operations: by the signal-triggered mechanical shuttling of molecular components; by the signal-triggering of chemical processes on surfaces, resulting in mechanical motion of micro/nanoscale objects; and by the fuel-triggered motility of biomolecule,metal nanowire hybrid systems. The shuttling of molecular components on molecular wires assembled on surfaces in semirotaxane configurations using electrical or optical triggering signals is described. The control of the hydrophilic/hydrophobic surface properties through molecular shuttling or by molecular bending/stretching processes is presented. Stress generated on microelements, such as cantilevers, results in the mechanical deflection of the cantilever. The deposition of a redox-active polyaniline film on a cantilever allows the reversible electrochemically induced deflection and retraction of the cantilever by the electrochemical oxidation or reduction of the polymer film, respectively. A micro-robot consisting of the polypyrrole (PPy) polymer deposited on a multi-addressable configuration of electrodes is described. Au magnetic core/shell nanoparticles are incorporated into a polyaniline film, and the conductivity of the composite polymer is controlled by an external magnet. Finally, the synthesis of a hybrid nanostructure consisting of two actin filaments tethered to the two ends of a Au nanowire is described. The adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-fueled motility of the hybrid nanostructure on a myosin monolayer associated with a solid support is demonstrated. [source] Color- and Reflectance-Tunable Multiple Reflectors Assembled from Three Polymer FilmsADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 14 2010Na Young Ha Tunings of reflectance and colors of multiple photonic bandgaps are demonstrated in the whole visible region by changing the polarization state of incident light. Two tunable systems are assembled from the same three materials of an anisotropic polymeric nematic liquid crystal film and two kinds of isotropic polymer film. The only difference between the two systems is the stacking sequence. [source] Organic Lasers: The Development of Luminescent Concentrators for Pumping Organic Semiconductor Lasers (Adv. Mater.ADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 31 200931/2009) Graham Turnbull and co-workers report on p. 3205 that a luminescent concentrator based on a coumarin dye doped polymer film can be used to reduce the pumping threshold of polymer lasers. To achieve this effect, the edge of the luminescent concentrator is placed in contact with the surface of an MEH-PPV distributed feedback laser. Intense green fluorescence from the edge of the concentrator film is then used to pump the laser (the red laser emission can be seen at the left of the cover image). [source] The Development of Luminescent Concentrators for Pumping Organic Semiconductor LasersADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 31 2009Ying Yang A luminescent concentrator, based on coumarin dye doped polymer film, is used to reduce the pumping threshold of polymer lasers. The edge of the luminescent concentrator is placed in contact with the surface of an MEH-PPV distributed feedback laser. Intense green fluorescence from the edge of the concentrator film pumps the laser (red laser emission shown on left). [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||