Large-scale self-assembled zirconium phosphate smectic layers via a simple spray-coating process

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Colloid Science

Background:

• Large-scale assembly of asymmetric colloidal particles is key for high-performance fibers.
• Self-assembly of 2D crystal-type materials offers tunable properties for thin films.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a spray-coating method for manufacturing thin films of self-assembled zirconium phosphate nanoplatelets.
• To demonstrate the large-scale ordering of high aspect ratio nanoplatelets for technological applications.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a spray-coating technique to create epoxy films containing zirconium phosphate nanoplatelets.
• Stabilized the self-assembled mesophase of nanoplatelets with an epoxy pre-polymer.
• Thermally cured the films to form mechanically robust coatings.

Main Results:

• Achieved thin, flexible, and transparent epoxy films with lamellar-arranged zirconium phosphate nanoplatelets aligned parallel to the substrate.
• The self-assembled mesophase exhibited favorable rheology for large-scale manufacturing.
• The resulting films demonstrated excellent gas barrier properties under both low and high humidity conditions due to the aligned nanoplatelet structure.

Conclusions:

• The large-scale ordering of high aspect ratio nanoplatelets is more feasible than previously anticipated.
• The developed spray-coating method has significant implications for the technological applications of self-assembled 2D materials.
• This work paves the way for advanced materials with enhanced barrier properties through controlled nanoplatelet assembly.