Title: Electrospray deposition tool: Creating compositionally gradient libraries of nanomaterials

Abstract

Electrospray deposition (ESD) enables the growth of solution deposited thin films in a precise and continuous manner by the delivery of submicron droplets of dilute solutions to a heated substrate. By combining ESD with programmable motor control and gradient solution pumping in a first-of-its-kind user tool at the Center for Functional Nanomaterials at Brookhaven National Laboratory, we show the ability to create one or two dimensional compositional gradient nanoscale films via ESD. These capabilities make it possible to construct thin film multicomponent “libraries” on a single substrate to rapidly and systematically characterize composition-dependent properties in a variety of material systems such as thin films involving homopolymer and block copolymer blends. Herein, we report the design, construction, and validation of a gradient ESD tool that allows users to carefully control the jet stability, flow composition, spray position, and substrate temperature. Calibrated thin films range in thickness from tens to hundreds of nanometers. We demonstrate gradient thin films using a ternary dye triangle as well as a gradual blending of polystyrene homopolymer with poly(styrene-block-methyl methacrylate) on a single substrate. Paired with the rapid measurement capabilities of synchrotron small angle X-ray scattering, this tool forms an integral part of a new platform formore » high-throughput, autonomous characterization and design of nanomaterial thin films and soft materials more generally.« less

Authors:

Toth, Kristof  ^[1];

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• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0003-3947-9824"
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Osuji, Chinedum O.  ^[2];

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• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0003-0261-3065"
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Yager, Kevin G.  ^[3];

• Search DOE PAGES for author "Yager, Kevin G."
• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0001-7745-2513"
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Doerk, Gregory S.  ^[3]

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• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0002-2933-2047"
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+ Show Author Affiliations

1. Yale Univ., New Haven, CT (United States)
2. Univ. of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA (United States)
3. Brookhaven National Lab. (BNL), Upton, NY (United States). Center for Functional Nanomaterials (CFN)

Publication Date:

2020-01-02

Research Org.:

Brookhaven National Lab. (BNL), Upton, NY (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES) (SC-22). Scientific User Facilities Division; National Science Foundation (NSF)

OSTI Identifier:

1599292

Alternate Identifier(s):

OSTI ID: 1580793

Report Number(s):

[BNL-213621-2020-JAAM]
[Journal ID: ISSN 0034-6748]

Grant/Contract Number:  

[SC0012704; DGE-1122492; CBET-1703494; DMR-1410568]

Resource Type:

Accepted Manuscript

Journal Name:

Review of Scientific Instruments

Additional Journal Information:

[ Journal Volume: 91; Journal Issue: 1]; Journal ID: ISSN 0034-6748

Publisher:

American Institute of Physics (AIP)

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY