Efficient horizontal lifting and annealing method for creating alternating multilayer structures with hard and soft multi-particle layers

Abstract

• Alternating multilayer structure was created by the horizontal lifting method. • The regularity of alternating multilayers was improved by annealing. • Rapid compression of the horizontal lifting method resulted in dechaining. • The desorbed chain was able to remove by the solvent. • Slow compression suppressed the occurrence of chain-desorption. An efficient process for manufacturing Nano-mille-feuille/alternating multi-particle layers was developed, in order to elucidate the origin of the physical properties associated with long-period stacking ordered structures. The conventional process employing the upstroke Langmuir-Blodgett method requires approximately five days. Comparatively, the developed process employing the horizontal lifting method, which involved two Langmuir troughs, was shortened to one day. Alternating multi-particle layer was obtained by dividing the horizontal, long trough into two sections, and alternate single-particle layers of polymer and inorganic nanoparticles were transferred to the substrate. However, out-of-plane X-ray diffraction confirmed that there was a significant decrease in the order of the layers. To compensate for any poor order, the samples were annealed at mild temperatures to rearrange the particles. Annealing at 50 °C for 60 h significantly improved the order of the layers (hereinafter layered order) in the alternating multi-particle layers. In addition, increasing the compression rate after horizontal adhesion induced desorption of the organically modified chain of alternating multi-particle layers, which also improved the layered order after annealing. Solvent treatment or low-speed compression can be used to prevent desorption of the components.