Scalable Capillary-Driven Assembly of Asymmetric Nanoparticles via Inkjet Printing

通过喷墨打印可扩展毛细管驱动的不对称纳米粒子组装

• 批准号: 1200385
• 负责人: Ying Sun
• 金额: $ 25万
• 依托单位: Drexel University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2012
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2012-08-01 至 2015-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1200385&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Scalable; Capillary; Driven; Assembly; Asymmetric

This grant provides funding for the investigation of capillary-driven self-assembly of asymmetric nanoparticles in inkjet printing of colloidal suspensions for scalable nanomanufacturing. Low-cost inkjet printing for the delivery of solution-processed functional materials onto flexible substrates has become a revolutionary technology for roll-to-roll processing of electronics and photovoltaics. However, the current technology is incapable of producing nanosized features and well-controlled patterns due to the well-known coffee-stain effect. Asymmetric nanoparticles can break the symmetry during capillary-driven self-assembly and may lead to improved feature resolution during printing. Janus nanoparticles (JNPs), which refer to colloidal particles with two regions of different surface chemical composition, will be used in this study to facilitate particle assembly due to the orientation-dependent interactions. The project that combines novel nanoparticle synthesis, multiscale modeling, in-situ observation, and advanced characterization will focus on the fundamental understanding of orientation-dependent interactions of JNPs with a moving contact line and a liquid-vapor interface away from equilibrium. If successful, the results of this research will lead to several technology advancements. Using JNPs as solid surfactants, the deposition of JNPs can be better controlled to avoid coffee-ring patterns commonly encountered in inkjet-printed structures. Using JNPs as tunable building blocks will lead to a large class of dynamically switchable micro-devices and smart surfaces. The proposed work will help establish important correlations between the assembly and deposition of JNP-based inks from evaporating colloidal drops and thin films, as well as the JNP design, ink formulations, processing conditions, and substrate properties. Such knowledge will potentially enable environmentally-benign, large-area inkjet printing, spray deposition, and slot-die coating processes for high-throughput production of next generation flexible electronics. This project will build an exciting interdisciplinary collaboration, enable new course materials, and directly benefit undergraduate researchers and K-12 teachers via Drexel?s REU and RET sites, as well as women and under-represented minority students.

该赠款为研究用于可扩展纳米制造的胶体悬浮液喷墨打印中毛细管驱动的不对称纳米粒子自组装提供了资金。用于将溶液处理的功能材料传送到柔性基材上的低成本喷墨印刷已成为电子和光伏设备卷对卷加工的革命性技术。然而，由于众所周知的咖啡渍效应，当前的技术无法产生纳米尺寸的特征和良好控制的图案。不对称纳米颗粒可以在毛细管驱动的自组装过程中打破对称性，并可能在打印过程中提高特征分辨率。 Janus 纳米颗粒（JNP）是指具有两个不同表面化学成分区域的胶体颗粒，将在本研究中使用，以促进由于方向依赖的相互作用而导致的颗粒组装。该项目结合了新型纳米颗粒合成、多尺度建模、原位观察和高级表征，将重点关注对 JNP 与移动接触线和远离平衡的液-汽界面的方向依赖性相互作用的基本理解。如果成功，这项研究的结果将带来多项技术进步。使用 JNP 作为固体表面活性剂，可以更好地控制 JNP 的沉积，以避免喷墨打印结构中常见的咖啡环图案。使用 JNP 作为可调构建模块将产生一大类动态可切换的微型设备和智能表面。拟议的工作将有助于建立基于 JNP 的墨水从蒸发胶体滴和薄膜的组装和沉积之间的重要关联，以及 JNP 设计、墨水配方、加工条件和基材性能之间的重要关联。这些知识将有可能实现环保、大面积喷墨印刷、喷涂沉积和槽模涂布工艺，以实现下一代柔性电子产品的高通量生产。该项目将建立令人兴奋的跨学科合作，启用新的课程材料，并通过 Drexel 的 REU 和 RET 站点直接使本科生研究人员和 K-12 教师以及女性和代表性不足的少数族裔学生受益。