Photopolymerized nanocomposite films of polystyrene and TiO2 nanorods are found to change their surface wettability characteristics in a controlled manner, depending on both the substrate used and on the number of film layers realized. The constituents of the nanocomposite solutions, namely styrene monomers and TiO2 nanorods, interact differently with the surface on which they are deposited, depending on its wettability. This interaction influences their dispersion along the depth and on the surface of the photopolymerized film, impacting on its wetting properties. We demonstrate that that the diverse amount of TiO2 nanorods exposed each time on the surface of the final film, which depends on the wettability of the surface lying underneath, is responsible for the layer-by layer alternated surface characteristics. Moreover, due to the presence of TiO2 nanorods on the sample's surface, the wettability characteristics can be tuned in a reversible manner upon UV irradiation and vacuum storage cycles.
Layer by layer control of wettability in nanocomposite films
Cozzoli, PDMembro del Collaboration Group
;Cingolani, RMembro del Collaboration Group
;
2011-01-01
Abstract
Photopolymerized nanocomposite films of polystyrene and TiO2 nanorods are found to change their surface wettability characteristics in a controlled manner, depending on both the substrate used and on the number of film layers realized. The constituents of the nanocomposite solutions, namely styrene monomers and TiO2 nanorods, interact differently with the surface on which they are deposited, depending on its wettability. This interaction influences their dispersion along the depth and on the surface of the photopolymerized film, impacting on its wetting properties. We demonstrate that that the diverse amount of TiO2 nanorods exposed each time on the surface of the final film, which depends on the wettability of the surface lying underneath, is responsible for the layer-by layer alternated surface characteristics. Moreover, due to the presence of TiO2 nanorods on the sample's surface, the wettability characteristics can be tuned in a reversible manner upon UV irradiation and vacuum storage cycles.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
