Applicability of Vapor-Deposited Thermoresponsive Hydrogel Thin Films in Ultrafast Humidity Sensors/Actuators.

Thermoresponsive polymers reversibly react to changes in temperature and water content of their environment (i.e., relative humidity, RH).

Wrinkling of an Enteric Coating Induced by Vapor-Deposited Stimuli-Responsive Hydrogel Thin Films.

In this contribution, we report on the thin-film synthesis of a thermoresponsive polymer onto another polymer used as an enteric coating in drug applications. In particular, we deposit cross-linked poly(-vinylcaprolactam) (pNVCL) thin films by initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD) onto spin-coated Eudragit (EUD) layers. Already upon iCVD synthesis, the layered structure starts to form wrinkles at a minimum iCVD thickness of 30 nm.

Interlink between Tunable Material Properties and Thermoresponsiveness of Cross-Linked Poly(-vinylcaprolactam) Thin Films Deposited by Initiated Chemical Vapor Deposition.

In this contribution, we report on the thin-film synthesis of a novel thermoresponsive polymer, namely, poly(-vinylcaprolactam) cross-linked by di(ethylene glycol)divinyl ether [p(NVCL--DEGDVE)] by initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD). Its transition between swollen and shrunken states in film thickness and the corresponding lower critical solution temperature (LCST) was investigated by spectroscopic ellipsometry in water. Water contact angle measurements and nano-indentation experiments reveal that the transition is accompanied by a change in wettability and elastic modulus.

Mesoporous ZnO thin films obtained from molecular layer deposited "zincones".

The delivery of porous ZnO thin films represents a challenge due to the low porosity achievable by conventional thin film deposition methods. In this contribution, the synthesis of mesoporous ZnO thin films is demonstrated through calcination in air of hybrid Zn-based polymers (zincone) obtained by molecular layer deposition (MLD). The calcination process was followed as a function of temperature using X-ray reflectivity and diffraction, together with spectroscopic ellipsometry.

Thickness-Dependent Swelling Behavior of Vapor-Deposited Smart Polymer Thin Films.

In this contribution, the temperature-dependent swelling behavior of vapor-deposited smart polymer thin films is shown to depend on cross-linking and deposited film thickness. Smart polymers find application in sensor and actuator setups and are mostly fabricated on delicate substrates with complex nanostructures that need to be conformally coated. As initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD) meets these specific requirements, the present work concentrates on temperature-dependent swelling behavior of iCVD poly(-isopropylacrylamide) thin films.

Growth Regimes of Poly(perfluorodecyl acrylate) Thin Films by Initiated Chemical Vapor Deposition.

Control over thin film growth (e.g., crystallographic orientation and morphology) is of high technological interest as it affects several physicochemical material properties, such as chemical affinity, mechanical stability, and surface morphology.