| AVS 65th International Symposium & Exhibition | |
| Thin Films Division | Tuesday Sessions |
| Session TF+SS-TuA |
| Session: | Organic/Inorganic Materials and Interfaces |
| Presenter: | Sven Pletincx, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium |
| Authors: | S. Pletincx, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium L. Trotochaud, Lawrence Berkeley Lab, University of California, Berkeley L.-L. Fockaert, Technical University Delft, Netherlands M. Meeusen, Technical University Delft, Netherlands J.M.C. Mol, Technical University Delft, Netherlands H. Bluhm, Lawrence Berkeley Lab, University of California, Berkeley H. Terryn, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium T. Hauffman, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium |
| Correspondent: | Click to Email |
The durability of hybrid systems is mainly determined by the different phenomena occurring at the organic/inorganic interface. However, analyzing this solid/solid or liquid/solid interface under technologically relevant conditions is challenging. Recently, the in situ investigation of these so-called buried interfaces is done by monitoring ultrathin polymer films onto a metal oxide substrate by ambient-pressure photoelectron spectroscopy (APXPS).1,2 Here, we show that APXPS with a conventional X-ray source can be used to study the effects of water exposure on the interaction of different acrylic coatings with aluminum oxide.
The deposition of this nanometer thin overlayer is often carried out by reactive adsorption from dilute polymer solutions. However, the influence of the solvent on the metal oxide chemistry is seldom taken into account in interface studies. An integrated spectroelectrochemical setup of ATR-FTIR Kretschmann and Odd Random Phase multisine Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (ORP-EIS) allows to monitor the influence of the solvent on the metal oxide surface. An aluminum layer is sputtered on an IR transparent crystal, the IR signal at the interface is amplified because of the Kretschmann effect, and a near-interface spectrum of the organic/oxide surface is obtained. The occurring interface processes can be followed with infrared spectroscopy while simultaneously, the PVD layer acts as a working electrode. This allows to determine the electrochemical properties of the overall hybrid system, studied by ORP-EIS.3
After the characterization of the solvent interactions, in situ ATR-FTIR Kretschmann/ORP-EIS is used to study the effect of an electrolyte on an acrylic polymer/metal oxide system. This way, we have direct access to the interface, and the influence of an above-the-polymer electrolyte (i.e. H2O) can be probed. Also the study of covalent bonding, such as the interfacial interactions of silane adhesion promotors are investigated. This work shows that by using ultrathin films and a set of recently developed techniques, it is possible to non-destructively and in situ probe interfacial changes in hybrid systems.
1. Pletincx, S. et al. In Situ Characterization of the Initial Effect of Water on Molecular Interactions at the Interface of Organic/Inorganic Hybrid Systems. Sci. Rep.7, 45123 (2017).
2. Pletincx, S. et al. Unravelling the Chemical Influence of Water on the PMMA/Aluminum Oxide Hybrid Interface In Situ. Sci. Rep.7, 13341 (2017).
3. Hauffman, T. et al. Measuring the adsorption of ethanol on aluminium oxides using odd random phase multisine electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Electrochem. commun.22, 124–127 (2012).