A Scalable Single-Step Process to Create Multifunctional Coatings

1335787PI：Bhatia基于胶体分散体的薄膜广泛用作涂料和涂料，在能源、数据存储和电子设备中有新兴的应用。通常，需要多功能涂层，其中薄膜的上表面提供特定的功能，例如耐腐蚀性、增强的光泽度或抗菌性能。为了提供这种结构，可以使用多步骤沉积工艺。或者，可以通过浇注具有各种功能的颗粒分散体来使用单步工艺。如果使用不同大小和相互作用的颗粒，则可以获得具有规定浓度分布的自组装结构涂层。以前的理论工作已经强调了流体动力学和胶体相互作用对多组分薄膜的形成和浓度分布的贡献。然而，由于在整个薄膜中确定结构和组成的表征方法的局限性，以及缺乏可以系统地改变每个组分的相互作用势的模型系统，该模型的实验验证一直受到阻碍。在这个项目中，我们将使用理论和实验相结合的方法，对如何利用颗粒大小和相互作用来调节多组分薄膜的结构有一个基本的理解。该项目是PiSurita Bhatia教授和Alexander Russ教授(剑桥大学)之间的国际合作，前者带来了胶体材料表征和散射技术方面的专业知识，后者则是胶体流体力学专家，提供了薄膜形成理论建模方面的专业知识。这项拟议的工作利用了布鲁克海文国家实验室(BNL)世界级的X射线表征设施，Bhatia是该实验室的附属公司，并受益于剑桥大学BP多相流研究所的专业知识，劳斯是该研究所的成员。我们的研究与以前的工作的不同之处在于，我们将使用小角散射等技术来量化我们实验系统的粒子间势能，从而能够更直接地与理论预测进行比较，并使用先进的散射技术，如掠入射SAXS(GI-SAXS)来探测整个薄膜的结构和成分。后一种技术比AFM和X射线反射率等技术具有显著的优势，AFM只探测表面结构。这项研究将对许多工业应用产生影响，最直接的是涂料行业。它将有助于开发一步成膜工艺，从而减少多功能薄膜的生产时间和成本。我们将与业界联系人合作，在会议上举办有重点的研讨会，向学术界和工业界受众传播成果。这项研究的概念将被纳入本科和研究生的核心课程。与人力资源相关的更广泛的影响包括对一名研究生进行软材料实验和理论技术方面的培训，这名研究生与工业科学家的互动，以及两个领先的软物质小组之间跨大西洋合作的发展。Bhatia致力于招募和留住女性、少数民族和残疾研究人员，并将专注于为该项目招收代表性不足的学生。

1335787PI: BhatiaFilms based on colloidal dispersions are widely encountered as paints and coatings, with emerging applications in energy, data storage, and electronic devices. Oftentimes, there is a need for multifunctional coatings, where the upper surface of the film provides a specific functionality such as corrosion resistance, enhanced gloss, or anti-bacterial properties. To impart this structure, a multi-step deposition process can be used. Alternatively, a single-step process can be used by casting a dispersion of particles with various functionalities. If particles with varied sizes and interactions are used, a self-assembled structured coating with a prescribed concentration profile could be obtained. Previous theoretical work has highlighted the contribution of both hydrodynamics and colloidal interactions to the formation and concentration distribution in multicomponent films. However, experimental verification of this model has been hampered by limitations of characterization methods to determine structure and composition throughout the film and a lack of model systems in which the interaction potential of each component can be systematically varied.In this project, we will develop a fundamental understanding of how particle size and interactions can be used to tune the structure of multicomponent films, using a combined theoretical and experimental approach. The project is an international collaboration between PI Surita Bhatia, who brings expertise in characterization of colloidal materials and scattering techniques, and Prof. Alexander Routh (Cambridge University), an expert in colloidal hydrodynamics who brings expertise in theoretical modeling of film formation. The proposed work leverages world-class facilities for x-ray characterization at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), where Bhatia is an affiliate, and benefits from the expertise of the BP Institute for Multiphase Flow at Cambridge University, of which Routh is a member. Our study distinguishes itself from previous work in that we will use techniques such as small-angle scattering to quantify the interparticle potential of our experimental systems, enabling a more direct comparison to theoretical predictions, and in the use of advanced scattering techniques such as grazing incidence SAXS (GI-SAXS) to probe structure and composition throughout the film. The latter technique offers significant advantages over techniques such as AFM, which probes only surface structure, and x-ray reflectivity. The research will impact a number of industrial applications, most directly the coatings industry. It will contribute to the development of single-step film formation processes that would decrease production time and costs of multifunctional films. We will work with industrial contacts to hold focused symposia at conferences to disseminate the results to both academic and industrial audiences. Concepts from the research will be incorporated into core undergraduate and graduate courses. Broader impacts related to human resources include training of a graduate student in both experimental and theoretical techniques for soft materials, interaction of this graduate student with industrial scientists, and the development of a trans-Atlantic collaboration between two leading soft matter groups. Bhatia has a demonstrated commitment to recruitment and retention of female, minority, and disabled researchers and will focus on recruiting under-represented students for this project.