I need to prepare a thin crosslinked polymer film (ca. 10 µm) on my glass substrate. Since crosslinked polymers are not soluble, the conventional spin-coating method i.e. with polymer solutions will not work. So my strategy is to first coat a monomer+initiator+crosslinker film, then do post-polymerization/crosslinking directely on glass slide. However, I am not sure if this is feasible to get a film with good surface quality and expected thickness. Did someone have similar experience and will offer some suggestions to me (method, procedure, tips etc.)? Thank you in advance!
Dear all, general practices to consider are shrinkage and if a solvent is used, pores and bubbles may be formed in parallel to crosslinking and solvent evaporation. Other thing uniform film formation is that photocuring is much more efficient and prefered than thermal curing. My Regards
Dear Siyang He , the strategy you has described is the conventional one and of course it works well. Most negative tone photoresists work in this way. The polymer type would depend on your application requirements (transparency, refractive index, hardness,... ). The crosslinking reaction can can be promoted by heat, light, catalysts or oxygen exposure. SU-8, silicones (such as Sylgard 184), Ormocers, and PMMA among other could do the job.
Hope it helps.
Dear all, general practices to consider are shrinkage and if a solvent is used, pores and bubbles may be formed in parallel to crosslinking and solvent evaporation. Other thing uniform film formation is that photocuring is much more efficient and prefered than thermal curing. My Regards
Following the above experts suggestions, i would like to add more regarding the process of crossing linked polymerisation. The coating should be done from its monomer+initiator+linker solution. After the film is formed, photo ( depending on the absorption band of materials) conversion or thermal conversion to the polymer is required for the polymerisation. Post washing is needed too to remove unreacted monomers. You may need to dry out your films for the final step.
It was found that the polymerization could be achieved higher percentage conversation from monomers if the processing is done in an inert gas environment.
i think the answer of prof. Abdelkader BOUAZIZ is more suitable for your work
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