Significantly Improved High-Temperature Energy Storage Performance of BOPP Films by Coating Nanoscale Inorganic Layer

Biaxially oriented polypropylene(BOPP)is one of the most commonly used commercial capacitor films,but its upper operating temperature is below 105℃due to the sharply increased electrical conduction loss at high temperature.In this study,growing an inorganic nanoscale coating layer onto the BOPP film's surface is proposed to suppress electrical conduction loss at high temperature,as well as increase its upper operating temperature.Four kinds of inorganic coating layers that have different energy band structure and dielectric property are grown onto the both surface of BOPP films,respectively.The effect of inorganic coating layer on the high-temperature energy storage performance has been systematically investigated.The favorable coating layer materials and appropriate thickness enable the BOPP films to have a significant improvement in high-temperature energy storage performance.Specifically,when the aluminum nitride(AIN)acts as a coating layer,the AIN-BOPP-AIN sandwich-structured films possess a discharged energy density of 1.5 J cm^(-3)with an efficiency of 90%at 125℃,accompanying an outstandingly cyclic property.Both the discharged energy density and operation temperature are significantly enhanced,indicating that this efficient and facile method provides an important reference to improve the high-temperature energy storage performance of polymer-based dielectric films.

LOW POTENTIAL ELECTROPOLYMERIZATION OF ANISOTROPIC CONDUCTIVE POLYTHIOPHENE FILMS AND FABRICATION OF ELECTRICAL DEVICES

The Complexation of thiophene with a Lewis acid with moderate acidity as a solvent, such as BF3-ethyl ether (BFEE) remarkedly lowered the electrochemical polymerization potential. The positively charged metal surface of electrode in the process of electrochemical deposition enhanced the coordination interaction between pi-electrons of thiophene unit and the metal, which makes thiophene rings lie parallel to the surface of electrode, resulting in a highly ordered polymeric structure. Because of the large intra-chain transfer integrals, the transport of charge is believed to be principally along the conjugated chains, which is much greater than the inter-chain hopping. The specific electrical resistance across the polythiophene film thickness is more than 10(4) times than that along the surface plane of the film. In this paper we review the recent development of polymerization technique by low potential electrochemical method performed in our lab and several electrical devices in which the compact polythiophene films, such as anionic and cationic sieves, and laminate film junction of undoped polythiophene derivatives were used.

PREPARATION OF PHOTOFUNCTIONAL POLYMER THIN FILMS BY LANGMUIR-BLODGETT TECHNIQUE

Polymer LB films containing photofuntional groups were prepared by the copolymerization of N-dodecylacrylamide (DDA), which has an excellent property to form a stable monolayer and LB multilayerswith photofunctional monomers. Tris(2, 2'-bipyridine) ruthenium complex, Ru(bpy)_3^(2+), one of the most well-known redox-active sensitizer, was incorporated into the DDA copolymer. The photogalvanic effect based onthe photoinduced electron transfer using the ruthenium complex in the polymer LB monolayer was discussed.

Investigation of working pressure on the surface roughness controlling technology of glow discharge polymer films based on the diagnosed plasma

The effects of working pressure on the component, surface morphology, surface roughness, and deposition rate of glow discharge polymer （GDP） films by a trans-2-butene/hydrogen gas mixture were investigated based on plasma characteristics diagnosis. The composition and ion energy distributions of a multi-carbon （CaHs/H2） plasma mixture at different working pressures were diagnosed by an energy-resolved mass spectrometer （MS） during the GDP film deposition process. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy （FT-IR）, field emission scanning electron microscope （SEM） and white-fight interferometer （WLI） results were obtained to investigate the structure, morphology and roughness characterization of the deposited films, respectively. It was found that the degree of ionization of the C4H8/H2 plasma reduces with an increase in the working pressure. At a low working pressure, the C-H fragments exhibited small-mass and high ion energy in plasma. In this case, the film had a low CH3/CH2 ratio, and displayed a smooth surface without any holes, cracks or asperities. While the working pressure increased to 15 Pa, the largest number of large-mass fragments led to the deposition rate reaching a maximum of 2.11 #m h-1, and to hole defects on the film surface. However, continuing to increase the working pressure, the film surface became smooth again, and the interface between clusters became inconspicuous without etching pits.

Provitamin D Doped Silica and Polymeric Films: New Materials for UV Biosensor

The original technologies of growing silica films, impregnated with 7-dehydrocholesterol (provitamin D3) on quartz substrates and free transparent films on the basis of polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinyl butyral have been developed. Provitamin D photoisomerization in the films under UVB irradiation was investigated by UV absorption spectroscopy. Remarkable changes in the absorption spectrum of 7-DHC were observed in silica and polyvinyl alcohol films as com-pared with ethanol solution, only in polyvinyl butyral film the spectrum was very nearly, while the spectral kinetics of 7-DHC photoisomerization in all the films was different from ethanol. We suggest that several films have potential as UV dosimeters to measure accumulated ‘antirachitic’ UV dose in the same manner as erythemic UV dose is measured by commonly used polysulphone film.

Measurement and control for a repetitive nanosecond-pulse breakdown experiment in polymer films

In order to perform data acquisition and avoid unwanted over-current damage to the power supply, a convenient and real-time method of experimentally investigating repetitive nanosecond-pulse breakdown in polymer dielectric samples is presented. The measurement-acquisition and control system not only records breakdown voltage and current, and time-to-breakdown duration, but also provides a real-time power-off protection for the power supply. Furthermore, the number of applied pulses can be calculated by the product of the time-to-breakdown duration and repetition rate. When the measured time-to-breakdown duration error is taken into account, the repetition rate of applied nanosecond-pulses should be below 40kHz. In addition, some experimental data on repetitive nanosecond-pulse breakdown of polymer films are presented and discussed.

Preparation and Characterization of Subsurface Silver Particulate Films on Polymer Blends of Polystyrene/Poly(2-vinylpyridine)/Poly(vinylpyrollidone)/Poly(4-vinylpyridine)

Silver particulate thin films on softened polymer blends of Polystyrene (PS)/Poly(2-vinyl pyridine) (P2VP), PS/Poly(4-vinylpyridine) (P4VP), and Poly(vinylpyrollidone) (PVP)/P4VP at a rate of 0.4 nm/s held at a temperature of 457 K in vacuum of 8 × 10-6 Torr by evaporation are deposited. These silver films were characterized by their electrical behavior, optical properties and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Silver films deposited on softened PS, and PVP give rise to a very high room temperature resistance approaching that of the substrate resistance due to the formation of a highly agglomerated structure. On the other hand, silver films on softened P2VP and P4VP give rise to a room temperature resistance in the range of tens to a few hundred MΩ/ which is desirable for device applications. Silver films on the composites of PS/P2VP, PS/P4VP and PVP/P4VP show resistances at room temperature. The optical and plasmonic response of Ag nanoparticles onto thin layers of blends shows encapsulation of nanoparticles. The electrical properties and SEM of silver nanoparticles on the thin layers of polymer blends indicate the formation of much smaller, narrower dispersion and wide size distribution.

Measurement Method of the Thickness Uniformity for Polymer Films

Several methods for investigating the thickness uniformity of polymer thin films are presented as well as their measurement principles. A comparison of these experimental methods is given.The cylindrical lightwave reflection method is found to can obtain the thickness distribution along a certain direction.It is a simple and suitable method to evaluate the film thickness uniformity.

RUPTURING OF POLYMER FILMS WITH RUBBING-INDUCED SURFACE DEFECTS

It has been a long-standing question whether dewetting of polymer film from non-wettable substrate surfaceswherein the bicontinuous morphology never forms in the dewetting film is due to spinodal instability or heterogeneousnucleation. In this experiment, we use a simple method to make the distinction through introduction of topographical defectsof the films by rubbing the sample surface with a rayon cloth. Spinodal dewetting is identified for those films that dewet by acharateristic wavevector, q, independent of the density of rubbing-induced defects. Heterogeneous nucleation, on the otherhand, is identified for those with q increasing with increasing density of defects. Our result shows that PS films on oxidecoated silicon with thickness less than ≈ 13 nm are dominated by spinodal dewetting, but the thicker films are dominated bynucleation dewetting. We also confirm that spinodal dewetting does not necessarily lead to a bicontinuous morphology in thedewetting film, contrary to the classic theory of Cahn.

Synthesis and Investigation of Phenol Red Dye Doped Polymer Films

The optical properties of the pure polymer film and polymer films doped with Phenol Red dye at different concentrations were investigated. The films were prepared using the casting technique. Poly (methyl-methacrylate) (PMMA) polymer was doped with the Phenol Red dye dissolved in a mixture of chloroform and little quantity of methanol, used as suitable solvent for both the dye and the polymer. The spectral absorption measurements of these films were carried out at different dye concentrations using UV-Vis double-beam spectrophotometer in the wavelength range 300 - 800 nm. The optical parameters of the prepared Phenol Red dye doped polymer films, absorption coefficient (α), extinction coefficient (κ), refractive index (n), optical and electrical conductivities (σopt and σelect), and optical energy band gap (Eg), were determined. The results showed that the Phenol Red dye doped polymer film is a good candidate for photonic applications such as, solar cells, optical sensors, and other photonic devices.

Temperature Controlled Lateral Pattern Formation in Confined Polymer Thin Films

The thermal induced topography change in a model system consisting of a polymer film on a Si substrate capped by a thin metal layer has been studied by using AFM. Regular lateral patterns over large areas were observed on the surface when the system was heated to a sufficiently high temperature. 2D-FFT analysis to the AFM images indicates that the patterns are isotropic and have well defined periodicities. The periodicities of the characteristic patterns are found to depend strongly on the annealing temperature. The study of the kinetics of the formation reveals that such a topography forms almost instantaneously once the critical temperature is reached. It is suggested that this wave-like surface morphology is driven by the thermal expansion coefficient mismatch of the different layers. This method for generating regular wave-like patterns could be used as a general method for patterning various organic materials into micro/nanostructures.

CHARACTERIZATION AND LUMINESCENCE PROPERTIES OF THE DYE-DOPED POLYMER LANGMUIR-BLODGETT FILMS

1,1,4,4-Tetraphenyl-1,3-butadiene (TPB) was successfully introduced into the polymer multilayer films by means of Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) technique. Results of UV-VIS spectra and X-ray diffraction showed that the uniform films had a layer structure similar to the superlattice of organic multiple quantum wells. The electroluminescence (EL) devices fabricated from the doped polymer LB films emitted blue light. Compared with the casting films, the photoluminescence (PL) and EL spectra showed that the exciton energy shifts to higher and the half-width of the emission peak becomes narrower due to exciton confinement effect.

THE ESTIMATION OF ORDERING DEGREE OF CORONA-POLED NONLINEAR OPTICAL POLYMER FILMS

The investigation of electrochromic effect of corona-poled nonlinear optical polymer films is an effective method for the estimation of poling level and the selection of poling conditions. The poling electric field E_p and orientational order parameter Φ, which are the important parameters to predict d_(33) of poled films, can be calculated by a simple operation from the number of red shift of charge transfer absorption band. The calculated results are in good agreement with the experimental data.

Competing failure mechanisms of thin metal films on polymer substrates under tension

The ductility of thin metal films on polymer substrates reported in recent experiments has a huge disparity,ranging from less than 1 % up to more than 50 %.To reveal the underpinning origins for such a large variation,this paper reports a systematic computational study of two competing failure mechanisms:metal film necking and grain boundary cracking.The quantitative results suggest that strong grain boundaries and metal/polymer interfacial adhesion are keys to achieve high ductility of polymer-supported metal films.

In-Situ Composition and Luminescence of Europium and Terbium Coordination Polymers/PEMA Hybrid Thick Films

Europium and terbium coordination polymers of pyridine-3-carboxylic acid were in-situ composed with ethyt methacrylate （ EMA ）. With the polymerization of EMA monomer and the formation of europium and terbium coordination polymers of pyridiae- 3-carboxylic acid, the transparent hybrid thick fihns composed of [ Eu（ NIC ）3 ]n （ [ Tb（ NIC）3 ]n ） and poly ethyl mettuwrylate （ PEMA ） have been prepared. The luminescence properties and energy transfer of these polymeric composites were studied with absorption spectra, fluorescent excitation trod emission spectra in detail. All the hybrid thick films composed of terbium coordination polymer show the characteristic strong green emission of terbium ions, which implies the same energy transfer mechanism as the pure complex and the hybrid composite film is a suitable sabstrate for the luminescence of terbium ions. In the range of camposing concentration of luminescent species （0.01,0.025,0.05,0.1 mmol /15 mL EMA ）, emission intensities increase with the increasing of corresponding composing concentration and the concentration quenching effect does not take place.

STUDIES ON THE AGGRESGATION BEHAVIOUR OF A SIDE－CHAIN LIQUID CRYSTALLINE POLYMER IN LANGMUIR－BLODGETT FILMS

be aggregation behavior of a side chain liquid crystaline polymer (PSLC) has been investigated by means of surface pressure-area isotherm, TEM and SEM observation X-ray diffraction, and UV-vis spectroscopy. Resulte obtained can be explained by molecular exciton model.

Preparation and Characterization of Maltose-Pendant Polymer/Mica Nanocomposites and Their Application to Oxygen Gas Barrier Films

Maltose-pendant polymer/mica nanocomposites were prepared by a solution intercalation method. For organic composite part, 1) maltose-pendant polymer (homopolymer) and 2) the copolymer of maltose-pendant monomer and a small amount of N,N-Dimethylamino propylacrylamide, methyl chloride quartenary were used. The morphological studies (XRD and FE-SEM) revealed that the hybrid of maltose-pendant polymer was a conventional phase separated composite. On the other hand, the hybrid using the copolymer exhibited exfoliated structure. Both the conventional composite of maltose-pendant polymer and the nanocomposite of copolymer were applied to a coating material for oxygen gas barrier layer on a nylon-6 film, and oxygen transmission rates of the films were evaluated. Maltose-pendant polymer had a good oxygen barrier property under dry condition, and the barrier property under wet condition was improved by the hybridization with mica. In contrast, the barrier property of copolymer was slightly inferior to that of maltosependant polymer. However, under dry condition, it can be seen that the nanocomposite of copolymer improves the barrier property more effectively than the case of conventional composite of maltose-pendant polymer.

Photoinduced Reorientation Process and Nonlinear Optical Properties of Ag Nanoparticle Doped Azo Polymer Films

Azobenzene polymer films doped with and without Ag nanoparticles are prepared. The photoinduced reorientation process is investigated by using an Nd：YVO4 pump beam at 532 nm and a low semiconductor laser beam at 650 nm. The reorientation rate of azo polymer films is enhanced in the presence of Ag nanoparticles, and the rate of the azo polymer film with Ag concentration of 2.2 μg/ml is larger than that of the azo polymer films with Ag concentrations of 1.1 μg/ml and 4.4 μg/ml. The third-order nonlinear optical properties of the Ag/azo composite film are obtained by the Z-scan technique at a wavelength of 532 nm, and the measured nonlinear refractive index is 9.258×10-9 esu. It is shown that the main mechanisms involved in the large nonlinear optical responses come from the local field enhancement of Ag nanoparticles and the nonlinear effect of the azo polymer matrix.

Transport properties and microstructure of La_(0.7)Sr_(0.3)MnO_3 nanocrystalline thin films grown by polymer-assisted chemical solution deposition

Perovskite-based materials can be widely used in the aerospace and transportation field. Perovskite man-ganese oxides La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 （LSMO） thin films were grown on LaAlO3 （100） and Si （100） single crystal sub-strates by the polymer-assisted chemical solution deposi-tion （PACSD） method. Electronic transport behavior, microstructure, and magnetoresistance （MR） of LSMO thin films on different substrates were investigated. The resis-tance of LSMO films fabricated on LaAlO3 substrates is smaller than that on the Si substrates. The magnetic field reduces resistance of LSMO films both on Si and LAO in the wide temperature region, when the insulator-metal transition temperature shifts to higher temperature. The low-field magnetoresistance of LSMO films on Si in low temperature range at 1 T is larger than that of LSMO films on LAO. However, the MR of LSMO film on LAO films at room-temperature is about 5.17%. The thin films are smooth and dense with uniform nanocrystal size grain. These results demonstrate that PACSD is an effective technique for producing high quality LSMO films, which is significant to improve the magnetic properties and the application of automotive sensor.

Study on Polymer Films with Thermal Stability

New polymer film materials with good properties are reported. The difference between positive and negative coronas is also given. The films have good transmittance, excellent thermal and long-term stability, low dielectric constant, and high glass transition temperature.