Full Paper

Solventless Polymerization to Grow Thin Films on Solid Substrates†

  1. H. Gu1,
  2. D. Fu1,
  3. L.-T. Weng2,
  4. J. Xie2,
  5. B. Xu

Article first published online: 18 MAY 2004

DOI: 10.1002/adfm.200305094

Issue

Advanced Functional Materials

Advanced Functional Materials

Volume 14, Issue 5, pages 492–500, May, 2004

Additional Information

How to Cite

Gu, H., Fu, D., Weng, L.-T., Xie, J. and Xu, B. (2004), Solventless Polymerization to Grow Thin Films on Solid Substrates. Adv. Funct. Mater., 14: 492–500. doi: 10.1002/adfm.200305094

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Chemistry, The Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong (SAR),, P.R. China

  2. 2

    Materials Characterization and Preparation Facility, Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong (SAR),, P.R. China

  1. †

    This work was partially supported by the Research Grants Council of Hong Kong and a DuPont Young Faculty Grant. We thank Prof. Benzhong Tang for the use of an optical microscope.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 18 MAY 2004
  2. Article first published online: 18 MAY 2004
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 2 DEC 2003
  4. Manuscript Received: 15 OCT 2003

SEARCH

SEARCH BY CITATION

ARTICLE TOOLS

Get PDF (547K)

Keywords:

  • Patterning;
  • Polymerization;
  • Thin films

Abstract

We report on the formation of polymeric thin films on a solid surface using gaseous monomers. The process consists of adding catalysts on the surface of a solid substrate and polymerizing volatile monomers at the gas/solid interface, or directly using the vapors of the catalyst and the monomers to selectively form polymers inside the microchannels. The morphology and properties of these thin films depend on the concentration of catalysts, the time of exposure to the monomers, and the type of the monomers, which can be easily controlled at the molecular level. This solventless process can be used for a range of applications.

Get PDF (547K)