A continuous immersion system has been built to deposit multifunctional thin films via layer-by-layer assembly. This unique process provides an important proof of concept for commercial scale, continuous processing of nanocoatings deposited in layer-by-layer fashion. Adjustable substrate immersion time allows deposition quality to be examined as a function of processing speed. An initial demonstration of this system is presented here by conformally coating cotton fabric, a complex three-dimensional substrate, with a flame-retardant recipe composed of poly(allylamine hydrochloride) and poly(sodium phosphate). SEM images reveal an unaltered natural weave structure after coating. Vertical flame testing confirms the reproducibility of this automated process. By altering immersion-time, these polymer-based assemblies are shown to exhibit variations in film thickness and flame retardancy. This system lays the groundwork for scale-up to an industrial scale.

Continuous immersion system for deposition of multilayer thin-films on film and fabric

245th National Meeting (2013)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.