Poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene) Thin Films after Dip- and Spin-Coating

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Sabine Apelt - , Chair of Biomaterials (Author)
  • Susanne Höhne - , Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden (Author)
  • Erik Mehner - , Freiberg University of Mining and Technology (Author)
  • Carolin Böhm - , Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden (Author)
  • Mikhail Malanin - , Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden (Author)
  • Klaus Jochen Eichhorn - , Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden (Author)
  • Dieter Jehnichen - , Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden (Author)
  • Petra Uhlmann - , Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden (Author)
  • Ute Bergmann - , Chair of Biomaterials (Author)

Abstract

The ferro-, pyro- and piezoelectric properties of poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene) P(VDF-TrFE) have created interest with regard to its application in aqueous and ambient surroundings for sensors, functional coatings, and in the field of life sciences. P(VDF-TrFE) thin films are usually applied via spin-coating, but dip-coating will be advantageous especially for irregularly shaped substrates. The morphology of dip- and spin-coated semi-crystalline thin films is studied as a function of both the film thickness and the annealing temperature. The characterization of the films is carried out by grazing incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering (GIWAXS), X-ray reflectometry (XRR), and infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS). Atomic force microscopy measurements (AFM) are used to examine the resulting topography. It is found that both spin- and dip-coated thin films crystallize in the desired edge-on orientation, but the overall crystallinity after dip-coating is decreased compared to the spin-coated films of comparable thickness and the resulting roughness is increased. The higher roughness is most probably caused by the slower evaporation of the solvents and a secondary crystallization process at the air-polymer interface.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number2200296
JournalMacromolecular materials and engineering
Volume307
Issue number10
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2022
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

Scopus 85134538245
ORCID /0000-0002-8740-8310/work/170542562

Keywords

Keywords

  • dip-coating, edge-on orientation, P(VDF-TrFE), thin films, trans-crystallinity, VIPS