Surface Quality Of Thin Films Research Articles

Influence of methyl group in a quinoline moiety on optical and light-induced properties of side-chain azo-polymers

We present the optical and photochromic properties as well as surface quality of thin films of the methacrylic copolymers containing 2-methylquinoline and quinoline azo-dyes in side chain. The extinction coefficient and refractive index were determined using spectroscopic ellipsometry combined with transmittance measurements. Photo-responsive behavior was investigated by determination of trans–cis photoisomerization rates under irradiation with unpolarized 365 nm light. We found that optical properties as well as photoisomerization rates of investigated polymers are dependent on the presence of a methyl substituent in the 2nd position of the quinoline moiety. The quality of the thin films was examined using Atomic Force Microscopy measurements.

Physico-Chemical and Light-Induced Properties of Quinoline Azo-dyes Polymers.

We present investigation of optical and photochromic properties as well as of surface quality of thin films of novel methacrylic polymers with 8-hydroxyquinoline azo-dyes in side-chain. Additionally, thermal stability of polymer powders was examined and their glass transition temperature was determined. Optical properties (extinction coefficient and refractive index) were determined by spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) combined with absorbance measurements. Photoresponsive behavior was investigated by determination of photoisomerization rates under irradiation with unpolarized 365 nm light, as well as by conduction of holographic grating inscription experiment. Thin film quality was determined by atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements. Thermal analysis was performed by thermogravimetric (TG), derivative thermogravimetric (DTG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements. We found that optical properties as well as photoisomerization rates of investigated polymers are dependent on the substituent in the para position of the phenyl ring. Surface relief grating inscription was successfully generated only for materials with chromophores containing dimethylamino (N(CH3)2) and methyl (CH3) substituents, but all materials exhibited birefringence grating in the bulk. Surface of most thin films was very smooth, but its quality was impaired by neutral (H) as well as carboxyl (COOH) substituent. Thermal stability of copolymers with side-chain chromophores was improved compared to pure poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA).

Synthesis and characterization of spin-coated clay/PVDF thin films

This paper reports the fabrication of Cloisite-15A (C-15A)-dispersed polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nanocomposite thin films by spin coating and their characterization for sensor applications. The effects of nanoclay, duration of ultrasonication and spinning speed on the morphology and properties of thin films were studied. The influence of these parameters on the amount of \(\upbeta \)-phase was analysed using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. The influence of C-15A on the morphology and surface quality of thin films was analysed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Piezoelectric coefficient was measured at 110 Hz and 0.25 N. Contact angle was measured to assess the hydrophobicity of thin films. The \(\upbeta \)-phase of 82.97% was obtained in the specimens with 5 wt% C-15A, processed at 500 rpm and spun for 35 min. The piezoelectricity of the specimens increased from \(-18\) to \(-25\hbox { pC N}^{-1}\). Experiments were conducted as per \(\hbox {L}_{16}\) orthogonal array.

SYNTHESIS OF COPPER SULPHIDE(CUS) THIN FILM BY CHEMICAL BATH DEPOSITION METHOD AND ITS CHARACTERIZATION

The CuS thin films were deposited on glass substrates using the chemical bath deposition technique at 65⁰C temperature from aqueous solutions of copper sulphate and thiourea in which tartaric acid solution were employed as the complexing agent. HRXRD studies reveal covellite CuS, having hexagonal primitive crystal structure. AFM studies shows morphology of CuS thin film as spherical particles, and spiky cones showing probability of nanorod formation of CuS. The grains are distributed homogeneously with a pattern consistent with polycrystalline film. Lower value of RMS value for CuS 8 sample of thin film (15.5907nm) shows that less light is scattered by an optical surface, and hence better the surface quality of thin film. Absorbance of thin film observed between 300-350 nm. The highest transmittance of the as-grown film in the entire wavelength of interest was recorded as 50%.