Epitaxially crystallized polyethylene exhibiting near‐equilibrium melting temperatures*
Abstract
The morphology and orientation of polymer crystals are important factors which determine the performance of thin‐film, polymer‐based technologies such as organic electronic devices and gas separation membranes. Here, we utilize polymer‐substrate epitaxy to achieve a highly oriented crystalline morphology during thin‐film processing. To accomplish this, we employ matrix‐assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE), a slow physical vapor deposition process, to deposit linear polyethylene epitaxially atop a graphene substrate. Via MAPLE, we demonstrate the ability to achieve a film morphology comprised of well‐aligned, edge‐on crystalline lamellae. Furthermore, we show that MAPLE can be exploited to grow crystalline lamellae composed entirely of extended polymer chains which exhibit a near‐equilibrium melting temperature. Our study demonstrates that MAPLE, as a bottom‐up approach, can deposit polymer thin films with improved control over crystalline morphology.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Jan 20, 2022
- Source ID
- 10.1002/pen.25890
Entities
People
- Anishkumar Soman
- Craig B Arnold
- Jason X. Liu
- Kaichen Gu
- Richard A Register
- Rodney D. Priestley
- Tingyi Gu
- Yucheng Wang
- Yueh‐lin Loo
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- Brookhaven National Laboratory
- National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka
- Princeton University
- University of Delaware