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Welch BC, Antonio EN, Chaney TP, McIntee OM, Strzalka J, Bright VM, Greenberg AR, Segal-Peretz T, Toney M, George SM. Building Semipermeable Films One Monomer at a Time: Structural Advantages via Molecular Layer Deposition vs Interfacial Polymerization. CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS : A PUBLICATION OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY 2024; 36:1362-1374. [PMID: 38370278 PMCID: PMC10870709 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemmater.3c02519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Molecular layer deposition (MLD) provides the opportunity to perform condensation polymerization one vaporized monomer at a time for the creation of precise, selective nanofilms for desalination membranes. Here, we compare the structure, chemistry, and morphology of two types of commercial interfacial polymerzation (IP) membranes with lab-made MLD films. M-phenylenediamine (MPD) and trimesoyl chloride (TMC) produced a cross-linked, aromatic polyamide often used in reverse osmosis membranes at MLD growth rates of 2.9 Å/cycle at 115 °C. Likewise, piperazine (PIP) and TMC formed polypiperazine amide, a common selective layer in nanofiltration membranes, with MLD growth rates of 1.5 Å/cycle at 115 °C. Ellipsometry and X-ray reflectivity results suggest that the surface of the MLD films is comprised of polymer segments roughly two monomers in length, which are connected at one end to the cross-linked bulk layer. As a result of this structure as well as the triple-functionality of TMC, MPD-TMC had a temperature window of stable growth rate from 115 to 150 °C, which is unlike any non-cross-linked MLD chemistries reported in the literature. Compared to IP films, corresponding MLD films were denser and morphologically conformal, which suggests a reduction in void volumes; this explains the high degree of salt rejection and reduced flux previously observed for exceptionally thin MPD-TMC MLD membranes. Using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and infrared spectroscopy, MLD PIP-TMC films evidenced a completely cross-linked internal structure, which lacked amine and carboxyl groups, pointing to a hydrophobic bulk structure, ideal for optimized water flux. Grazing-incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering showed broad features in each polyamide with d-spacings of 5.0 Å in PIP-TMC compared to that of 3.8 Å in MPD-TMC. While MLD and IP films were structurally identical to PIP-TMC, MPD-TMC IP films had a structure that may have been altered by post-treatment compared to MLD films. These results provide foundational insights into the MLD process, structure-performance relationships, and membrane fabrication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian C. Welch
- Israel
Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel
- University
of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Emma N. Antonio
- University
of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Thomas P. Chaney
- University
of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Olivia M. McIntee
- University
of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Joseph Strzalka
- Argonne
National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois 60439, United States
| | - Victor M. Bright
- University
of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Alan R. Greenberg
- University
of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | | | - Michael Toney
- University
of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Steven M. George
- University
of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
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2
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Vandenbroucke SST, Henderick L, De Taeye LL, Li J, Jans K, Vereecken PM, Dendooven J, Detavernier C. Titanium Carboxylate Molecular Layer Deposited Hybrid Films as Protective Coatings for Lithium-Ion Batteries. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:24908-24918. [PMID: 35590474 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c03511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The lifetime of lithium-ion batteries can be extended by applying protective coatings to the cathode's surface. Many studies explore atomic layer deposition (ALD) for this purpose. However, the complementary molecular layer deposition (MLD) technique might offer the benefit of depositing hybrid coatings that are flexible and can accommodate potential volume changes of the electrode during charging and discharging of the battery. This study reports the deposition of titanium carboxylate thin films via MLD. The structure and stability of the hybrid films are studied by using Fourier transform IR spectroscopy. The electrochemical properties of two titanium carboxylate films and a "titanicone" MLD film, deposited by using TDMAT and glycerol, are evaluated on top of a TiO2, TiN, and LiMn2O4 electrode. The coatings are found to present good lithium-ion kinetics and to reduce electrolyte decomposition. Overall, the titanium carboxylate films deposited in this work seem promising as protective and elastic coatings for future high-energy lithium-ion battery cathodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofie S T Vandenbroucke
- Department of Solid State Sciences, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 (S1), 9000 Gent, Belgium
- imec, Kapeldreef 75, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lowie Henderick
- Department of Solid State Sciences, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 (S1), 9000 Gent, Belgium
| | - Louis L De Taeye
- imec, Kapeldreef 75, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
- Centre for Surface Chemistry and Catalysis, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jin Li
- Department of Solid State Sciences, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 (S1), 9000 Gent, Belgium
| | | | - Philippe M Vereecken
- imec, Kapeldreef 75, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
- Centre for Surface Chemistry and Catalysis, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jolien Dendooven
- Department of Solid State Sciences, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 (S1), 9000 Gent, Belgium
| | - Christophe Detavernier
- Department of Solid State Sciences, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 (S1), 9000 Gent, Belgium
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Jain H, Creatore M, Poodt P. Spatial atmospheric pressure molecular layer deposition of alucone films using dimethylaluminum isopropoxide as the precursor. Dalton Trans 2022; 51:7918-7927. [PMID: 35537141 DOI: 10.1039/d2dt00570k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Trimethylaluminum is the most used aluminum precursor in atomic and molecular layer deposition (ALD/MLD). It provides high growth-per-cycle (GPC), is highly reactive and is relatively low cost. However, in the deposition of hybrid alucone films, TMA tends to infiltrate into the films requiring very long purge steps and thereby limiting the deposition rate (nm s-1) of the process. From our previous studies, we know that dimethylaluminum isopropoxide (DMAI) could be a potential candidate to substitute TMA in alucone depositions as it does not seem to infiltrate into the films. In this study, we perform a more detailed investigation of MLD of alucone on an atmospheric pressure spatial MLD system using DMAI as the aluminum precursor. The effect of deposition temperature and reactant purge times on the overall GPC has been investigated and a decreasing GPC with increasing deposition temperature and increasing EG purge time has been observed. Furthermore, the DMAI alucone films have been compared for their chemical environment and degradation with the films prepared using TMA and EG, showing striking similarities between the two. The results demonstrate that DMAI can be used as an alternative precursor to TMA for MLD of alucone films and this work can be used as a guide for designing efficient MLD processes in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hardik Jain
- TNO/Holst Centre, 5656 AE Eindhoven, Netherlands. .,Department of Applied Physics, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Mariadriana Creatore
- Department of Applied Physics, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Paul Poodt
- TNO/Holst Centre, 5656 AE Eindhoven, Netherlands. .,Department of Applied Physics, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
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Nye RA, Wang S, Uhlenbrock S, Smythe JA, Parsons GN. In situ analysis of growth rate evolution during molecular layer deposition of ultra-thin polyurea films using aliphatic and aromatic precursors. Dalton Trans 2022; 51:1838-1849. [PMID: 35018915 DOI: 10.1039/d1dt03689k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Organic thin films formed by molecular layer deposition (MLD) are important for next-generation electronics, energy storage, photoresists, protective barriers and other applications. This study uses in situ ellipsometry and quartz crystal microbalance to explore growth initiation and growth rate evolution during MLD of polyurea using aromatic p-phenylene diisocyanate (PDIC) or aliphatic 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDIC) combined with ethylenediamine (ED) or 1,6-hexanediamine (HD) co-reactants. During the first 10-20 cycles of growth, we show the growth rate can increase and/or decrease substantially depending on the substrate as well as the flexibility, length, and structure of the isocyanate and amine reactants used. The transition from initial to steady growth is attributed to a change in active surface site density as the growth proceeds, where the number of sites is determined by a balance between steric effects that block active sites, double reactions that consume multiple active sites, and precursor physisorption and sub-surface diffusion that create new active sites, where the extent of each mechanism depends on the precursors and deposition conditions. Results shown here provide useful insight into mechanisms needed to control growth of ultra-thin organic films for advanced applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel A Nye
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, 911 Partners Way, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, USA.
| | - Siyao Wang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, 911 Partners Way, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, USA.
| | | | - John A Smythe
- Micron Technology Inc., 8000 S Federal Way, Boise, Idaho 83716, USA
| | - Gregory N Parsons
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, 911 Partners Way, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, USA.
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Muriqi A, Karppinen M, Nolan M. Role of terminal groups in aromatic molecules on the growth of Al 2O 3-based hybrid materials. Dalton Trans 2021; 50:17583-17593. [PMID: 34812457 DOI: 10.1039/d1dt03195c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Hybrid materials composed of organic and inorganic components offer the opportunity to develop interesting materials with well-controlled properties. Molecular Layer Deposition (MLD) is a suitable thin film deposition technique for the controlled growth of thin, conformal hybrid films. Despite the great interest in these materials, a detailed understanding of the atomistic mechanism of MLD film growth is still lacking. This paper presents a first principles investigation of the detailed mechanism of the growth of hybrid organic-inorganic thin films of aluminium oxide and aromatic molecules with different terminal groups deposited by MLD. We investigate the chemistry of the MLD process between the post-TMA pulse methyl-terminated Al2O3 surface and the homo- or hetero-bifunctional aromatic compounds with hydroxy (OH) and/or amino (NH2) terminal groups: hydroquinone (HQ), p-phenylenediamine (PD) and 4-aminophenol (AP). Double reactions of aromatic molecules with the alumina surface are also explored. We show that all aromatic precursor molecules bind favourably to the methyl terminated Al2O3, via formation of Al-O and Al-N bonds and CH4 elimination. While reaction energetics suggest a higher reactivity of the OH group with TMA in comparison to the NH2 group, which could enable the double reaction phenomenon for HQ, we propose that the upright configuration will be present so that the organic molecules are self-assembled in an upright configuration, which leads to thicker hybrid films. Interactions between the methyl-terminated Al2O3 with substituted phenyls are investigated to examine the influence of phenyl functionalisation on the chemistry of the terminal groups. Reaction energetics show that phenyl functionalization actually promotes an upright configuration of the molecule, which leads to thicker and more flexible films, as well as tuning the properties of the aromatic components of the hybrid films. We also investigate the interactions between methyl-terminated Al2O3 with new possible MLD organic precursors, hydroquinone bis(2-hydroxyethyl)ether and 1,1'-biphenyl-4,4'-diamine. DFT shows that both aromatic molecules react favourably with TMA and are worthy of further experimental investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arbresha Muriqi
- Tyndall National Institute, Lee Maltings Complex Dyke Parade, Cork, Cork, T12 R5CP, Ireland.
| | - Maarit Karppinen
- Department of Chemistry and Materials Science, Aalto University, FI-00076 Espoo, Finland
| | - Michael Nolan
- Tyndall National Institute, Lee Maltings Complex Dyke Parade, Cork, Cork, T12 R5CP, Ireland.
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