BACKGROUND:  Deposition of conductive film is a critical manufacturing step that influences the quality and cost of electronic devices. Current film-forming techniques are costly and reliable with only a limited set of depositing and substrate materials. As the demand for high performance consumer electronics increases, there is a need for a simple universal method for controllable deposition of homogeneous thin films.

INNOVATION:  Researchers at UCLA have developed a simple solution-based method for growing thin films on virtually any substrate by using an emulsion of water and dense oil. Film growth occurs within seconds in ambient conditions, eliminating costly fabrication requirements, such as vacuum and high temperature. Furthermore, the technique is readily scalable, provides thickness control, and is compatible with materials such as conducting polymers, graphene and carbon nanotubes.

POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS 

• Depositing nanoscale materials
  • Flexible and Transparent Electronic Devices
  • Solar Cells, LEDs, Chemical Resistive Sensors, Flat Panel TVs, Plasma Displays, and Touch Panels

ADVANTAGES

• Simple and feasible under ambient conditions
• Lower production cost (eliminates vacuum and high temperature steps)
• Applicable to virtually any substrate
• Controllable film thickness
• Solvents are recyclable

DEVELOPMENT-TO-DATE:  Films of nanofibers of polyaniline (PANi), polythiophene (PT), and 3-hexyl polythiophene (3OHT) have been developed and grown on Quartz, glass, ITO-Glass, ITO-PET. Additionally, films of graphene sheets and single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) along with the following composites: Graphene-SWCNT, PANi-SWCNT, PANi-Graphene, PT-SWCNT, PT-Graphene, 3PHT-SWCNT, and 3PHT-Graphene.

Reference: UCLA Case No. 2009-391