Electrospray deposition tool: Creating compositionally gradient libraries of nanomaterials

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• Electrospray deposition (ESD) is a technique for depositing thin films from solutions.
• Precise control over film composition and properties is crucial for nanomaterial applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design, construct, and validate a novel gradient electrospray deposition (ESD) tool.
• To enable the creation of one- and two-dimensional compositional gradient nanoscale films.
• To establish a platform for high-throughput characterization and design of nanomaterials.

Main Methods:

• Integration of ESD with programmable motor control and gradient solution pumping.
• Precise control of jet stability, flow composition, spray position, and substrate temperature.
• Fabrication of thin films with thicknesses ranging from tens to hundreds of nanometers.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated the creation of compositional gradient nanoscale films using the developed ESD tool.
• Successfully fabricated gradient films using a ternary dye system and polymer blends (polystyrene and poly(styrene-block-methyl methacrylate)).
• Validated the tool's capability to create thin film multicomponent "libraries" for property characterization.

Conclusions:

• The gradient ESD tool offers precise control for fabricating complex thin film materials.
• This technology facilitates rapid, systematic characterization of composition-dependent properties.
• The tool is a key component of a new platform for autonomous nanomaterial design and discovery.