Nanoclusters in polymer matrices prepared by co-deposition from a gas phase

Polymer films filled with organic molecules by CO2 laser evaporation in vacuum

“…Absorption maximum of the optical spectra is located near 400 nm for original dye powder, for both films cast from a solution and deposited by evaporation in a vacuum from a boat [12]. The installations used for film deposition was described elsewhere [2][3][4][5]. The starting vacuum was 10 À3 Pa.…”

“…It was discovered, that laser evaporation of some low molecular organic compounds led to formation of their nano-clusters, moreover, a high temperature crystal phase was formed at room temperature [2,3]. Laser deposition of clustered multicomponent films, based on polymer matrix presents one promising research direction for optoelectronics [2][3][4][5] and photonics [6] applications, in particular, for sensors [7][8][9][10]. But polystyrene matrix deposited with CO 2 laser evaporation is not stable [10].…”

“…It is a problem to deposit smooth polymer film by laser evaporation. It is necessary to carefully keep the film deposition conditions [1][2][3][4][5]. It was discovered, that laser evaporation of some low molecular organic compounds led to formation of their nano-clusters, moreover, a high temperature crystal phase was formed at room temperature [2,3].…”

“…But polystyrene matrix deposited with CO 2 laser evaporation is not stable [10]. More stable and inert polymer material that is suitable for laser evaporation is PCTFE [1][2][3][4][5]. Thin film of organic semiconductors is new advanced research direction for creation functional layers for field effect transistors especially on flexible plastic substrate.…”

Electronic Functionality of Nanocomposites

“…• physical deposition such as co-deposition of polymer films together with metallic or carbon clusters (Grytsenko & Schrader, 2005, Wei & Eilers, 2008), • electrochemical deposition forming metallic nanoclusters within conducting polymer matrices combining electropolymerization and controlled electrodeposition (Trung et al, 2005), • sol gel processing forming metallic or metal oxide nanoclusters within polymers with and without templates (Groehn et al, 2001, Nandi et al, 1990, O'Connor et al 1997, Di Gianni et al, 2007, and • ion implantation at low energies (< 100 keV) with metal ions in the fluence range 10 15 to 10 17 ions cm -2 (Di Girolamo et al, 2010). High energy ion beam irradiation also produces carbon nanoclusters in polymer films such as polyimide allowing the homogeneous formation of carbonised inclusions within tracks in the polymeric medium (Hioki et al, 1983, Davenas et al, 1988, Murugaraj et al, 2009a.…”