AVS 54th International Symposium
    Advanced Surface Engineering Tuesday Sessions
       Session SE-TuP

Paper SE-TuP2
Optimization of Process Parameters using Matrix Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation (MAPLE) for Deposition of Carbon Nanoparticles

Tuesday, October 16, 2007, 6:00 pm, Room 4C

Session: Advanced Surface Engineering Poster Session
Presenter: M.H. Check, University of Dayton
Authors: M.H. Check, University of Dayton
A.A. Voevodin, Air Force Research Laboratory
C.N. Hunter, Air Force Research Laboratory
J.J. Hu, University of Dayton Research Institute
Correspondent: Click to Email

Matrix Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation (MAPLE) is a thin film deposition technique that can be applied to a large range of polymeric and biological substances. The advantage of using MAPLE compared to other laser techniques is that deposition can be accomplished with little or no damage to the transported material. The technology was explored for preparation of tribological coatings with carbon nanopearls (~150 nm in size) encapsulated in metal (Au and Ag) and ceramic (TiN) matrices. The focus was placed on understanding how to control transport and uniformity of nanopearls on the deposition surface. The controlling parameters included laser fluence (200-800 mJ), repetition rate (1-30 Hz), solvent material (methanol and isopropanol), and background gas composition and pressure (5-30 mTorr of Ar and N2 mix). The characteristics of the synthesized 1-2 micron thick carbon/metal and carbon/ceramic composite films were correlated with area fraction of the nanoparticles, degree of dispersion of the nanoparticles and effect of the transport process on the properties of the nanoparticles. Results from electron microscopy, optical profilometry, and XPS are discussed.