Deposited Zinc Oxide Research Articles

Superhydrophobic Porous Cylindrical Barrel Founded on Stainless-Steel Mesh for Interfacial Water Evaporation.

Superhydrophobic materials have been widely applied in oil-water separation, self-cleaning, antifouling, and drag reduction; however, their role in liquid evaporation and drying remains unexplored. Inspired by the microstructure of the nonwetting legs of water striders, we designed a low-adhesion superhydrophobic cylindrical barrel (CB) derived from stainless-steel mesh (SSM) to enhance liquid thermal evaporation and drying. The CB was created by hydrothermally depositing zinc oxide (ZnO) with multilevel morphologies onto metal wires, followed by modification with low-surface-energy stearic acid (SA). We investigated the impact of the SSMCB on water evaporation and analyzed the decline in the liquid levels under varying porosities and temperatures through numerical normalization. A functional relationship was established between decline height, porosity, and temperature, revealing that the drop height increased from 3.7 to 25 mm as porosity increased from 0 to 0.5263. Moreover, the superhydrophobic coating demonstrated excellent resistance to friction and peeling, indicating improved mechanical stability.

Development of hydrophilic carbon fiber textiles using seed-assisted hydrothermal deposition of ZnO nanostructures for enhanced interfacial interaction in CFRP composites

Two-step hydrothermal deposition of zinc-oxide (ZnO) nanorods was used to functionalize carbon fiber textiles in order to produce increased hydrophilicity on fiber surface. On carbon fiber textiles, tightly packed ZnO nanorods developed after five seed cycles and 5 h of growth treatment in a 30 mM precursor salt based on the hydrothermal synthesis. Extensive characterizations have been performed on field emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, High resolution transmission electron microscopy, Photoluminescence spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy to assess the different aspects such as structural, morphological, elemental, and wettability of the plain and ZnO-modified carbon fiber textiles. ZnO nanomaterial having hexagonal nanorods shape and wurtzite crystalline structure were uniformly deposited on the fabrics. Owing to the wettability study, ZnO prisms improved the hydrophilicity of virgin carbon fiber textiles to enable strong bonds with polymer matrix. The findings highlight the significant improvement in the static water contact angle as a result of the samples' ZnO coating's ability to reduce surface free energy. The improved hydrophilicity in carbon fiber may enhance the bonding between carbon fibers and matrix materials in composite materials. Hydrophilic carbon fibers are more easily wetted by the matrix materials, allowing for better penetration of the matrix into the fiber structure.

Novel Synthesis of Zinc Oxide on Cotton Fabric by Cathodic Cage Plasma Deposition for Photocatalytic and Antibacterial Performance.

Cotton fabrics with zinc oxide (ZnO) coating are of significant interest due to their excellent antibacterial performance. Thus, they are widely in demand in the textile industry due to their medical and hygienic properties. However, conventional techniques used to deposit ZnO on fabric require long processing times in deposition, complex and expensive equipment, and multiple steps for deposition, such as a separate process for nanoparticle synthesis and subsequent deposition on fabric. In this study, we proposed a new method for the deposition of ZnO on fabric, using cathodic cage plasma deposition (CCPD), which is commonly used for coating deposition on conductor materials and is not widely used for fabric due to the temperature sensitivity of the fabric. The effect of gas composition, including argon and a hydrogen-argon mixture, on the properties of ZnO deposition is investigated. The deposited samples are characterized by XRD, SEM, EDS, photocatalytic, and antibacterial performance against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria. It is observed that ZnO-deposited cotton fabric exhibits excellent photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue and antibacterial performance, specifically when a hydrogen-argon mixture is used in CCPD. The results demonstrate that CCPD can be used effectively for ZnO deposition on cotton fabric; this system is already used in industrial-scale applications and is thus expected to be of significant interest to garment manufacturers and hospitals.

A novel dual functional gradient Zn(O,S)/Mg electron-selective contact for dopant‐free silicon solar cells with efficiencies approaching 21 %

Dopant-free carrier-selective contacts have the potential to mitigate or eliminate parasitic absorption, auger recombination losses, etc. Therefore, the vigorous development of dopant-free carrier-selective contact materials is an important way to enhance the performance of crystalline silicon (c-Si) photovoltaics. This study presents the concept of magnetron sputtering gradient deposited zinc oxide (Gd-Zn(O,S)) combined with a low work function magnesium metal layer. Subsequently, the Gd-Zn(O,S)/Mg bifunctional layer was further investigated and optimised to determine its suitability as a contact layer for electron transfer in c-Si solar cells. This strategy simultaneously enables a good passivation and a low contact resistance. The c-Si(n)/a-Si:H(i)/Gd-Zn(O,S)/Mg devices are constructed and achieved an optimal contact recombination current density (J0) of approximately 1.51 fA cm−2, along with a minimum ρc of approximately 35.89 mΩ.cm2. As a consequence, the power conversion efficiency of a prototype silicon heterojunction solar cell is 20.92 %. This study demonstrates that the strategy of replacing the a-Si:H(n) electron transport layer with Gd-Zn(O,S) is an effective approach for improving the SHJ cell. This study also provides new perspectives for designing novel dopant-free carrier-selective contact structures.

Electrochemically deposited zinc oxide films on stainless steel for photo degradation of Basic Red 18 dye

<p style="margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">In this</span></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> study, zinc oxide (ZnO) films have been electrochemically deposited on stainless steel and its photocatalytic activity on the degradation of BR 18 dyes was tested. The effects of different electrodeposition conditions such as deposition potential and deposition time on the nanostructures of ZnO films were investigated in detail and the best electrodeposition conditions were optimized. The electrochemical, structural and morphological, were characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV), chronoamperometry, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), respectively. The best removal efficiency was 37% at -1.2 V, and increased up to 53% after 300 sec coating. The number of electrodes (1, 2, 3 and 4 coatings) and dye concentration (5, 10, 15 mg/L) covered with -1.2 V potential and the coating synthesized in 300 seconds were studied. A complete removal was obtained when the number of electrodes covered was 4 and at 5 mg/L initial dye concentration. The number of reuses was tested up to 5 cycles. ZnO coatings on stainless steel that were electrochemically charged showed good photocatalytic stability. </span></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Because ZnO films have both economic and environmental advantages, it is imperative that they can be synthesized using environmentally benign processes and used in photocatalysis. This novel strategy provides a chance to utilize ZnO film photocatalytic characteristics for a range of environmental remediation applications in addition to providing a sustainable wastewater management solution.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

AAO-ZnO nanocomposite coatings on aluminum alloy surface with high bonding strength and long-lasting antibacterial properties

A robust and durable antibacterial nanocomposite coating consisting of anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) and zinc oxide (ZnO) was synthesized by sol–gel deposition of ZnO onto AAO nanotubes. This unique coating features a dual-layer structure: an intermediate AAO + ZnO layer (∼3.9 μm) and a ZnO layer (∼0.8 μm). Nanosized ZnO particles, ranging from 20 to 40 nm, nucleate and grow along the walls of AAO nanotubes within this structure. AAO nanotubes, functioning as “nanocontainers”, offer appropriate sites for the deposition of ZnO particles. The mechanically interlocked AAO + ZnO interlayer enhances the adhesion between the external layer and the inner substrate. Meanwhile, this interlayer facilitates the sustained release of both Zn2+ ions and reactive oxygen species (ROS), effectively impeding bacterial proliferation. Ultraviolet antibacterial tests reveal that the AAO + ZnO interlayer maintains exceptional antibacterial efficacy, even after removing the outermost ZnO layer. The antibacterial rates of the AAO + ZnO interlayer against the above two typical bacteria (E. coli and S. aureus) after 1 h could still reach 91.4 % and 89.0 %, respectively. Specifically, AAO nanopores serve as an inert container for ZnO nanoparticles with consistently release of Zn2+ ions and reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby ensuring the long-term antibacterial effectiveness of the AAO-ZnO coating. This research also demonstrates the significant potential of AAO-ZnO nanocomposite coating on aluminum alloys for durable antibacterial applications.

EFFECT OF NIOBIUM DOPANT CONCENTRATION ON ZNO NANOSTRUCTURES ON SI POROUS SUBSTRATE

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures have gained popularity in sensor technology due to their unique properties and facile device integration. However, the intrinsic optical and electrical properties of ZnO are suboptimal for direct industrial applications, necessitating enhancements through doping. This study investigates the impact of niobium (Nb) doping concentrations on the physical, optical, and electrical characteristics of ZnO nanostructures. FESEM analyses indicate successful deposition of ZnO on silicon nanoparticles substrates, with nanostructure sizes peaking at 88 nm and 115 nm for 6% and 8% Nb dopant concentrations, respectively. XRD results suggest that the structural integrity of the nanostructures is maintained up to a 10% doping level, with an optimal concentration at 6%. UV-Vis spectroscopy shows a shift in the absorption peak into the visible range and a decrease in maximum reflectivity from 47.5990% at 2% doping to 40.9205% at 6% doping, indicating enhanced light absorption suitable for optoelectronic applications. Electrical measurements reveal that a 6% Nb dopant concentration yields the lowest resistivity and highest conductivity among the tested samples. These findings underscore the potential of Nb-doped ZnO nanostructures in improving the performance of optoelectronic devices through tailored doping strategies.

Colorimetric sensing of hydrogen peroxide using capped Morus nigra-sawdust deposited zinc oxide nanoparticles via Trigonella foenum extract.

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is one of the main byproducts of most enzymatic reactions, and its detection is very important in disease conditions. Due to its essential role in healthcare, the food industry, and environmental research, accurate H2O2 determination is a prerequisite. In the present work, Morus nigra sawdust deposited zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized by the use of Trigonella foenum extract via a hydrothermal process. The synthesized platform was characterized by various techniques, including UV-Vis, FTIR, XRD, SEM, EDX, etc. FTIR confirmed the presence of a Zn‒O characteristic peak, and XRD showed the hexagonal phase of ZnO NPs with a 35nm particle size. The EDX analysis confirmed the presence of Zn and O. SEM images showed that the as-prepared nanoparticles are distributed uniformly on the surface of sawdust. The proposed platform (acetic acid-capped ZnO NPs deposited sawdust) functions as a mimic enzyme for the detection of H2O2 in the presence of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) colorimetrically. To get the best results, many key parameters, such as the amount of sawdust-deposited nanoparticles, TMB concentration, pH, and incubation time were optimized. With a linear range of 0.001-0.360μM and an R2 value of 0.999, the proposed biosensor's 0.81nM limit of quantification (LOQ) and 0.24nM limit of detection (LOD) were predicted, respectively. The best response for the proposed biosensor was observed at pH 7, room temperature, and 5min of incubation time. The acetic acid-capped sawdust deposited ZnO NPs biosensor was also used to detect H2O2 in blood serum samples of diabetic patients and suggest a suitable candidate for in vitro diagnostics and commercial purposes.

Control of ZIF-62 and agZIF-62 Film Thickness within Asymmetric Tubular Supports through Pressure and Dose Time Variation of Atomic Layer Deposition.

Thin-films of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have widespread potential applications, especially with the emergence of glass-forming MOFs, which remove the inherent issue of grain boundaries and allow coherent amorphous films to be produced. Herein, it is established that atomic layer deposition (ALD) of zinc oxide lends excellent control over the thickness and localization of resultant polycrystalline and glass zeolitic imidazole framework-62 (ZIF-62) thin-films within tubular α-alumina supports. Through the reduction of the chamber pressure and dose times during zinc oxide deposition, the resultant ZIF-62 films are reduced from 38µm to 16µm, while the presence of sporadic ZIF-62 (previously forming as far as 280µm into the support) is prevented. Furthermore, the glass transformation shows a secondary reduction in film thickness from 16 to 2µm.

Efficient synthesis of 3D ZnO nanostructures on ITO surfaces for enhanced photoelectrochemical water splitting

New photoactive materials with uniform and well-defined morphologies were developed for efficient and sustainable photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting and hydrogen production. The investigation is focused on hydrothermal deposition of zinc oxide (ZnO) onto indium tin oxide (ITO) conductive surfaces and optimization of hydrothermal temperature for growing uniform sized 3D ZnO morphologies. Fine-tuning of hydrothermal temperature enhanced the scalability, efficiency, and performance of ZnO-decorated ITO electrodes used in PEC water splitting. Under UV light irradiation and using eco-friendly low-cost hydrothermal process in the presence of stable ZnO offered uniform 3D ZnO, which exhibited a high photocurrent of 0.6 mA/cm2 having stability up to 5 h under light-on and light-off conditions. The impact of hydrothermal temperature on the morphological properties of the deposited ZnO and its subsequent performance in PEC water splitting was investigated. The work contributes to advancement of scalable and efficient fabrication technique for developing energy converting photoactive materials.

Enhancing the durability of reversible wettability on larch wood surfaces through optimized pretreatment methods

The development of superhydrophobic layers on wood is attracting plenty of scientific attention lately in the field of functional wood modification. However, the ability to resist mechanical wear is essential to improve the durability of the functional surface through simple treatment. Hot water, acid, and alkali were initially used to pre-treat larch wood samples, followed by a hydrothermal procedure to deposit zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures on the surface of the pretreated wood. Wood that has been pure water hydrothermally processed has a more distinctive ZnO structure with a compact arrangement and rod structure. After pretreatment, the surface contact angle of ZnO wood was greater than 150°, showing excellent superhydrophobic property, while the surface of directly loaded ZnO wood did not. Most importantly, in the test of wear resistance, hot water pretreated ZnO wood showed the optimized performance. The densely packed ZnO nanorods generated by hydrothermal pretreatment exhibit a more stable bond with the wood surface, thereby enhancing the mechanical stability of the wood to some extent both in the sandpaper wear and the tape tearing test. The superhydrophobic modified wood surface also had outstanding self-cleaning talents, which can also easily switch between light and heat caused a reversible shift in the surface wettability. This study offers insight into wood functionalization and addresses the endurance of surface changes on biomass materials.

Facile fabrication of arecanut palm sheath based robust hydrophobic cellulose nanopapers via self-assembly of ZnO nanoflakes and its shelf-life prediction for sustainable packaging applications

Cellulose nanofibers have been extracted from arecanut palm sheath fibers via mild oxalic acid hydrolysis coupled with steam explosion technique. Cellulose nanofibers with diameter of 20.23 nm were obtained from arecanut palm sheath fibers. A series of robust hydrophobic cellulose nanopapers were fabricated by combining the synergistic effect of surface roughness induced by the successful deposition of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoflakes and stearic acid modification via a simple and cost-effective method. In this work, agro-waste arecanut palm sheath was employed as a novel source for the extraction of cellulose nanofibers. 2 wt% of ZnO nanoflakes and 1 M concentration of stearic acid were used to fabricate mechanically robust hydrophobic cellulose nanopapers with a water contact angle (WCA) of 134°. During the deposition of zinc oxide nanoflakes on the CNP for inducing surface roughness, a hydrogen bonding interaction is formed between the hydroxyl groups of cellulose nanofibers and the zinc oxide nanoflakes. When this surface roughened CNP was dipped in stearic acid solution. The hydroxyl groups in zinc oxide nanoflakes undergoes esterification reaction with carboxyl groups in stearic acid solution forming an insoluble stearate layer and thus inducing hydrophobicity on CNP. The fabricated hydrophobic cellulose nanopaper displayed a tensile strength of 22.4 MPa and better UV blocking ability which is highly desirable for the sustainable packaging material in the current scenario. Furthermore, the service life of the pristine and modified cellulose nanopapers was predicted using the Arrhenius equation based on the tensile properties obtained during the accelerated ageing studies. The outcome of this study would be broadening the potential applications of hydrophobic and mechanically robust cellulose nanopapers in sustainable packaging applications.

Advanced two-objective optimization of thickness and large-area homogeneity of ZnO ultrathin films deposited by atomic layer deposition

Semiconductor thin films and coatings have become one of the most relevant research fields due to their significant applications in priority energy-related technologies such as solar cells, photocatalysts, and smart windows. Since all these fields are conceived as tools to fight against the effects of climate change, a real impact requires the successful deposition of semiconductor films on large-area substrates such as windows, panels, pipes, and containers, to give rise to photoactive components suitable for buildings, industries, cars, and parks. However, scalability remains one of the major issues in almost all methodologies known for the deposition of semiconductor films, irrespective of the phase approach used, i.e., either from vapor- or liquid-phase. Here, a mathematical metamodel was applied to simulate the atomic layer deposition (ALD) of zinc oxide (ZnO) ultrathin films (a versatile photoactive material in energy-related research) and optimized their thickness and homogeneity over the whole area of 8 in.-diameter Si wafers. Knowing all ALD parameters that define the quality and properties of the deposited films, we delimitated a set of four metamodel-inputs (zinc precursor dose, purge, and the inner and outer carrier gas flows) based on literature review, expertise, costs, and reactor design aspects specific to the deposition of ZnO. The average thickness and homogeneity of the films were established as the two outputs of the metamodel, which were the object of optimization. Using advanced iterative procedures, we carried out three rounds of experiments that lead us to a set of ALD parameters to deposit a ZnO ultrathin film with an average thickness of 11.38 nm that leads to a deposition rate of 1.9 Å/cycle, which represents 90% of the highest reported value for ZnO by ALD (2.1 Å/cycle). The homogeneity over the whole 8 in.-diameter wafer reached 2.61 nm, which represents the smoothest distribution of thickness values in the entire deposited area. Given the origin of the limits constraining this optimization procedure, our results hold promise in supporting the transition from the laboratory-level synthesis of thin-film-based optoelectronic devices to their large-scale production. This could ultimately help to circumvent the difficulties faced in scaling the ALD technology and enable alternative deposition methodologies such as thermal ALD, otherwise inaccessible to the production chain.

ZnO Deposition on Silicon and Porous Silicon Substrate via Radio Frequency Magnetron Sputtering

Nanostructured Zinc Oxide (ZnO) was deposited on silicon (c-Si) and macroporous silicon (m-PS) using a radio frequency (RF) reactive magnetron sputtering technique. Two RF powers of 60 and 80 W were selected for ZnO deposition on the substrates. Furthermore, the c-Si and m-PS substrate temperatures were kept at 500 and 800 °C, respectively. The morphological, structural, and optical characteristics of the samples were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), an X-ray diffractometer (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL). The SEM images revealed the formation of ZnO nanorods on the c-Si and ZnO nanostructures constituted by the assembly of nanorods. It has been found that the increasing RF sputtering power caused the rise in the residual stress. In addition, the increase in the deposition temperature caused an improvement in the arrangement of the crystals, which was attributed to the decrease in crystal defects.

Effect of Capping Agent on Structure, Composition, and Optical Properties of Low-Cost Chemically Deposited Zinc Oxide Thin Films and Their Antibacterial Activities

In the present report, pure zinc oxide and albumen-capped zinc oxide thin films were deposited on a glass substrate by a simple chemical method. The growth rate of the deposited film increases by means of number of dipping linearly. The films deposited were subjected to XRD, SEM, EDX, and UV-visible spectroscopy to analyze the crystal structure, morphology, composition, and optical properties. Structural feature reported that the deposited films were found to be a wurtzite structure. The degree of crystallinity depends on film thickness with deposition time per cycles. The parameters related to film structure, such as stress, strain, dislocation density, lattice constant, and bond length, were determined. The values of the fundamental absorption edge were at 3.28 and 3.06 eV for the deposited films of pure zinc oxide and albumen-capped zinc oxide, respectively. Photoluminescence measurements indicated that the peaks of emission were found to be 375 and 340 nm for zinc oxide and albumen-capped zinc oxide. The effects of an antibacterial activity against different positive and negative bacteria sources were determined.

Hybrid Solar Cells using Screen Printing Method

Abstract: Hybrid bulk heterojunction (BHJ) organic solar cells with a poly (3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl)(P3HT):(6,6)-phenyl C61- butyric acid methyl ester (PC61BM) active layer, a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate)(PEDOT:PSS) buffer layer, and an electrochemically deposited zinc oxide (ZnO) n-type inorganic layer were produced. The PET/ITO/ZnO/PEDOT:PSS/P3HT:PC61 BM/Al device was manufactured and tested under solar illumination (AM1.5G, 100 mW/cm2

Designing Non-Fluorinated Superhydrophobic Fabrics with Durable Stability and Photocatalytic Functionality.

The ability of a superhydrophobic fabric to stay dry and clean has aroused great interest in daily life. Especially, the development of an eco-friendly non-fluorinated water-repellent textile has become a hot topic in recent years. We present a green strategy to achieve self-cleaning textile by in situ deposition of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles on cotton with subsequent polydimethylsiloxane modification. The prepared cotton fabric exhibits superior water repellency with a water contact angle of 157°. Meanwhile, this superhydrophobic surface can easily be ruined by oil contaminants and then exhibit a decreased water contact angle of 0°. However, the oil-contaminated surface can recover its water repellency after being irradiated. After six cycles of contamination using oleic acid and successive photodegradation, the fabric surface remains superhydrophobic. The obtained superhydrophobic surface does not adversely affect the fabric's strength and air permeability. Therefore, the developed superhydrophobic cotton fabrics have the potential to be used in a variety of industrial scenarios and in daily life.

Atomic layer deposited zinc oxide thin film on pencil graphite for DNA sensor applications

Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) enables precise thin-film deposition on electrode substrates for electrochemical sensors. In this work, we present the first example of ALD grown zinc oxide (ZnO) deposition on pencil graphite surfaces for deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sensory applications, including its detection and DNA damage investigation. For DNA sensing studies, the use of highly productive materials is essential. In this context, the ZnO modified pencil graphite electrodes (ZnO/PGEs) exhibited good electrochemical properties that make them a suitable substrate. ZnO films were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, photoluminescence (PL), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and electrochemical methods. The DNA recognition capability of the thin film coated electrodes was tested by using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), which showed a linear response ranging from 1 mg L−1 to 200 mg L−1 based on the oxidation of guanine (G) with a limit of detection value (LOD) of 0.53 mg L−1 (n = 3). In addition to this, impedimetric monitoring of oxidative DNA damage was performed in the presence of copper(II)/hydrogen peroxide (Cu(II)/H2O2) reagents, and protection studies were conducted in the presence of ascorbic acid. ZnO thin film-based electrodes exhibited good sensor performance in terms of sensitivity, stability, and reproducibility.

Atomic layer deposition of ZnO on PLA/TiO2 bionanocomposites: Evaluation of surface chemistry and physical properties toward food packaging applications

AbstractThe impact of titanium dioxide (TiO2) on the physical properties of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is explored, along with the combined effect of Atomic Layer Deposition of zinc oxide (ZnO) on the nanocomposite films' surface. PLA/TiO2 bionanocomposites are prepared via melt‐extrusion and characterized in terms of their morphological, thermal, and mechanical properties. Homogeneous dispersion of the filler offers enhanced mechanical performance for samples up to 5 wt% in TiO2 content. Thermal stability of PLA is also slightly improved upon increasing TiO2 content. This work also demonstrates that surface modification of PLA/TiO2 films employing Atomic Layer Deposition of zinc oxide enhances hydrophobicity, while antimicrobial activity, although mild, appears enhanced for coated samples. Water vapor permeability is retained in both coated and uncoated nanocomposites. Surface characterization of the studied specimens, by x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy, reveals subsurface diffusion and reaction of the depositing compounds within PLA, leading to a different surface chemistry involving Zn(OH)2. This study gives valuable insights on the parameters affecting the atomic layer deposition of inorganic coatings on a polymeric substrate in the presence of nanoinclusions and, therefore, on the physical properties of the coated films, providing the pathway for their exploitation in food packaging applications.

Rational Molecular Design for Non-aqueous Atomic Layer Deposition of Zinc Oxide

Rational Molecular Design for Non-aqueous Atomic Layer Deposition of Zinc Oxide