Influence of MgF₂ nanoparticles in the plasma polymer fluorocarbon‐based transparent nanocomposite thin films on the surface hardness properties

Abstract

In this study, the chemical structure at the interfaces of nanocomposite thin films, consisting of MgF2 nanoparticles and a plasma polymer fluorocarbon (PPFC) matrix, was analyzed to elucidate the relationship between fluorine dispersion and surface properties. Using self‐made MgF2–carbon nanotube–polytetrafluoroethylene ternary composite sputtering targets, MgF2 nanoparticles were successfully embedded in the PPFC matrix through sputtering. The spectrometric analysis showed that the fluorine atoms transfer at the nanoparticle interface created a carbon‐rich region in the PPFC polymer matrix, resulting in higher thin film hardness. The optimized MgF2 nanoparticle/PPFC matrix thin film showed that surface hardness reached 4.32 GPa, and it also exhibited high optical transparency and water repellency. MgF2–PPFC nanocomposite thin film could be applicable to protective optical coatings for display and automotive windows.

ZnO–Plasma Polymer Fluorocarbon Thin Films for Stable Battery Anodes and High-Output Triboelectric Nanogenerators

“…Similar to most polymer materials, PPFC thin films are electrical insulators; hence, when these films are brought into contact with other materials or rubbed, the produced charges cannot flow and continue to accumulate. Recently, sputtered PPFC nanocomposite thin films containing polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and perfluoroalkoxy alkanes have attracted considerable attention as promising materials for anti-microbial , and biomedical , applications, photovoltaic sensors, TENGs, batteries, antireflection coatings, heat mirrors, and solar cells because of their high transparency, electrothermal stability, superhydrophobicity, good dielectric properties, high heat resistance, flexibility, high surface resistivity, and low friction coefficient . In addition, they can be easily fabricated while controlling the nanoscale thickness and structure.…”

“…Recently, sputtered PPFC nanocomposite thin films containing poly-tetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and perfluoroalkoxy alkanes have attracted considerable attention as promising materials for antimicrobial 32,33 and biomedical 34,35 applications, photovoltaic sensors, 36 TENGs, 37 batteries, 38 antireflection coatings, 39 heat mirrors, 33 and solar cells 39 because of their high transparency, electrothermal stability, superhydrophobicity, good dielectric properties, high heat resistance, flexibility, high surface resistivity, and low friction coefficient. 40 In addition, they can be easily fabricated while controlling the nanoscale thickness and structure. However, previous polymer matrix 41 studies mainly focused on their practical applications, changes in the polymer matrix structure, and fabrication methods and did not comprehensively examine the optical properties of these materials such as refractive index and extinction coefficient variations by the non-destructive optical technique spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) or variations in the chemical binding energies of all atoms.…”