Making tougher nanoparticle films

Exploration magazine : Vanderbilt University physicists have found a way to make nanoparticle films strong enough so they don’t disintegrate at the slightest touch. Nanoparticles—ultrafine particles with diameters less than 100 nanometers—typically consist of an inorganic core coated with a thin layer of organic molecules.These particles are not very sticky so they don’t form coherent thin films unless they are encapsulated in a polymer coating or mixed with molecules called chemical “cross-linkers” that act like glue to stick the nanoparticles together. This makes the film expensive.The Vanderbilt University physicists added a spun-cast layer of polymer to the electrodes that serves as a pattern that organizes the nanoparticles as they are deposited in a technique called electrophoretic deposition . Then, after the deposition process is completed, they dissolve (sacrifice) the polymer layer to free the nanoparticle film. Related Link Sacrificial layer electrophoretic deposition of freestanding multilayered nanoparticle films