Subsurface particle monolayer and film formation in softenable substrates: Techniques and thermodynamic criteria

摘要: Abstract We have previously shown that subsurface particulate monolayers form rather generally when inorganic materials are appropriately deposited onto softenable organic polymer substrates. Here we analyse, in terms of the surface free energies, thermodynamic stability on soft substrates various conceivable structures versus possible above-surface configurations. For both rigid preformed particles and flexible growing clusterd (as occur vacuum deposition), tendency for complete immersion is determined by same inequality among interfacial tensions. Estimates these parameters predict a completely embedded structure to be thermodynamically favourable most substrates, with partially predicted materials. Although, deposition particle material, formation often limited kinetic factors (associated substrate temperature rate)), describe variety other fabrication techniques which such can indeed fabricated remarkable generality from particles. Moreover, organics, completely—rather than partially—embedded formed, if spread system exposed suitable solvent vapour. This rationalized above- mentioned inequality, provided appropriate and/or tensions calculated this situation. Continuous films become during deposition, compared structures, coalescence becomes too slow keep projected-area coverage below certain maximum levels. expected as exceed some minimum size, confirm prediction experimentally.