Fabrication by Spin-Coating and Optical Characterization of Poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile) Thin Films

Abstract

The optical characteristics of poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile) thin films obtained by spin-coating of polymer blend in tetrahydrofuran were investigated by spectroscopic ellipsometry, spectrophotometry, and atomic force microscopy. Film thickness can be broadly varied by changing the polymer concentration.The film thickness dependence on PSAN concentration shows a non-linear behavior that can be explained by a concentration-dependent viscosity. According to previously proposed models, prepared solutions are close to the concentrated solution regime. Films show a broad transparency range and refractive index independent of film thickness. The refractive index values range from 1.55 to 1.6 in the visible range. Thermal treatment revealed good stability of the films up to 220 °C and a progressive deterioration for larger temperatures, with evident damage at 300 °C. UV-induced photodegradation was observed and results showed a progressive decrease of transmittance in the range between 200 and 300 nm but PSAN thin films show no changes when exposed to light from a solar illuminator. These investigations indicate that PSAN is an excellent candidate for thin film polymer-based optical uses like interference coatings or encapsulation of solar cells.

Laser-written Mach Zehnder interferometer in silica with surface-written sensing arms and sub-micron thick doped-polymer film for increased evanescent field interferometric methane sensing

“…It can be spin coated after dilution in solvent at 1 − 4/wt% to achieve films of the desired thickness. 7 The next sections focus on the development of the key components in the photonic circuit, i.e. the waveguides and directional couplers.…”

Utilizing Machine Learning to Model Interdependency of Bulk Molecular Weight, Solution Concentration, and Thickness of Spin Coated Polystyrene Thin Films

“…In the realm of materials science and thin film fabrication, the spin coating process stands as an indispensable technique, offering a thin film deposition technique with precise control over film thickness, uniformity, and morphology. Thin film coatings, characterized by their nanometer to micrometer thickness, have become integral in various applications across industries such as semiconductor generation, optical and solar panel coatings, consumer electronics, and biomedical engineering research [1][2][3][4], owing to the profound impact of thin films on material properties and device functionalities. The spin coating method has emerged as a pivotal step in the creation of high-performance, tailored thin films, in part due to being relatively inexpensive and simple to execute in both research and industrial settings [1].…”

Utilizing Machine Learning to Model Interdependency of Bulk Molecular Weight, Solution Concentration, and Thickness of Spin Coated Polystyrene Thin Films

“…In the realm of materials science and thin film fabrication, the spin coating process stands as an indispensable technique, offering a thin film deposition technique with precise control over film thickness, uniformity, and morphology. Thin film coatings, characterized by their nanometer to micrometer thickness, have become integral in various applications across industries such as semiconductor generation, optical and solar panel coatings, consumer electronics, and biomedical engineering research (1)(2)(3)(4)(5), owing to the profound impact of thin films on material properties and device functionalities. The spin coating method has emerged as a pivotal step in the creation of high-performance, tailored thin films, in part due to being relatively inexpensive and simple to execute in both research and industrial settings (1).…”