(266c) Vapor-Phase Deposition of Polymers Onto Liquid Substrates

The vapor-phase deposition of polymers is typically used to coat solid substrates, but we recently introduced liquid substrates into the deposition process.¹ The liquid surface adds complexity to the system by offering different initial conditions. For example, we have observed the formation of both continuous polymer films and polymer nanoparticles on the liquid/vapor interface. We have recently demonstrated that these different polymer morphologies can be used to fabricate free-standing polymer films² and to encapsulate liquids within polymer shells.³ In this talk, we will discuss our current work in determining the mechanism that governs film and nanoparticle formation. Specifically, we will discuss the effect of the surface tension interactions between the liquid and polymer, which determine whether it is energetically favorable for the polymer to spread over the liquid surface and form a film or aggregate into particles. We will also discuss special cases in which the polymer deposition rate can influence polymer morphology and we will also discuss the effect of liquid viscosity on polymer morphology.

3. Bradley, L. C.; Gutpa, M. “Encapsulation of Ionic Liquids within Polymer Shells via Vapor Phase Deposition.” Langmuir, 2012, 28, 10276-10280.