Date of Award

Spring 2-2016

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Chemical Engineering (MChE)

Department

Chemistry

First Advisor

Adam Nolte

Second Advisor

Kimberly Henthorn

Third Advisor

Maarij Syed

Abstract

The goal of this research is to investigate the film morphology and humidity swelling/deswelling behavior of polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) that are constructed from poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) by two assembly techniques: automated dipping layer-by-layer (LbL) and spin-assisted (SA) LbL. Two sets of pH polyelectrolyte solution conditions were tested: (PAH7.5/PAA3.5) and (PAH7.0/PAA7.0). It was found that when the films were constructed with the same number of bilayers (=20 bilayers), SA-LbL (PAH7.5/PAA3.5) has a greater thickness than (PAH7.0/PAA7.0). (PAH7.5/PAA3.5) thin films constructed by automated dipping LbL did not result in a uniform film morphology, making thickness comparisons between techniques for those assembly conditions difficult. On the other hand, the thickness of (PAH7.0/PAA7.0)20 thin films constructed by automated dipping LbL was a tenth of the thickness of (PAH7.0/PAA7.0)20 thin films constructed by SA-LbL. In addition, film morphology was studied for the uneven automated dipping LbL (PAH7.5/PAA3.5)20 thin film using contact mode AFM. Silane treatment and an adsorbed polyethylenimine (PEI) underlayer were attempted to produce a smooth film surface. However, neither surface treatments gave a smooth film surface for the uneven automated dip-coated LbL (PAH7.5/PAA3.5)20. Therefore, the assembly technique is an important factor on the thin film thickness and film morphology. Humidity swelling/deswelling tests were carried out on SA-LbL (PAH7.5/PAA3.5)20, SA-LbL (PAH7.0/PAA7.0)20, and automated dip-coated LbL (PAH7.0/PAA7.0)20. SALbL (PAH7.5/PAA3.5)20 and SA-LbL (PAH7.0/PAA7.0)20 demonstrated a maximum swelling of approximately 40% under a humid air environment. However, the humidity hysteresis effect for the automated dipping LbL (PAH7.0/PAA7.0)20 was hard to tell due to the high uncertainty in the film thickness.

Comments

I would like to dedicate this thesis to my wonderful parents who have always supported me with my studies in all means. My parents, Lubing Yin and Lanping Wang, have supported me with their love and care throughout my study journey in the U.S. I would not have gone this far without them. Thanks for your amazing parenting and constant support. I am about to embark a new journey of my life. Thank you very much!

Download

Share

COinS