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Field assisted self‐assembly for preferential through thickness (“z‐direction”) alignment of particles and phases by electric, magnetic, and thermal fields using a novel roll‐to‐roll processing line
Author(s) -
Cakmak Miko,
Batra Saurabh,
Yalcin Baris
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
polymer engineering and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.503
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1548-2634
pISSN - 0032-3888
DOI - 10.1002/pen.23861
Subject(s) - materials science , thermal , substrate (aquarium) , electrical conductor , composite material , magnetic field , electric field , casting , polymer , line (geometry) , mechanical engineering , optoelectronics , geometry , oceanography , physics , mathematics , quantum mechanics , meteorology , engineering , geology
Many functional films including heat spreaders, ultrahigh density information storage systems, capacitors, batteries, and fuel cell membranes require enhanced through thickness properties. In this paper, we describe a design and demonstration of a multipurpose novel film formation process to orient and align functional nanoparticles and polymer phases using external electric, magnetic, and thermal gradient fields. This roll‐to‐roll processing line uses a casting system that deposits liquid film of a monomer and/or polymer solution on to a flexible substrate. Substrate is carried by belt through an electric field zone that can apply DC, AC, or a biased AC to orient the phases and particles in the vertical direction while subjecting it to UV through its built in transparent conductive carrier. To orient magnetic particles, an electromagnet located along the machine may be used. The final tool that is built on this machine is the thermal alignment zone which is designed to apply a “ line of heat ” oriented transverse to the machine direction at nine different zones. Using this processing line, we are able to reduce the cost of manufacturing by limiting the amount of functional fillers through directional alignment while enhancing the thickness properties. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 55:34–46, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers