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Balser S, Zhao Z, Zharnikov M, Terfort A. Effect of the crosslinking agent on the biorepulsive and mechanical properties of polyglycerol membranes. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2023; 225:113271. [PMID: 36996629 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2023.113271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023]
Abstract
Polyglycerol (PG) based surfaces materials and surfaces are well-established bio-compatible materials. Crosslinking of the dendrimeric molecules via their OH groups improves their mechanical stability up to the point that free-standing materials can be attained. Here, we investigate the effect of different crosslinkers on PG films regarding their biorepulsivity and mechanical properties. For this purpose, PG films with different thicknesses (15, 50 and 100 nm) were prepared by polymerizing glycidol in a ring-opening polymerization onto hydroxyl-terminated Si substrates. These films were then crosslinked using ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether (EGDGE), divinyl sulfone (DVS), glutaraldehyde (GA), 1,11-di(mesyloxy)-3,6,9-trioxaundecane (TEG-Ms2) or 1,11-dibromo-3,6,9-trioxaundecane (TEG-Br2), respectively. While DVS, TEG-Ms2, and TEG-Br2 resulted in slightly thinned films, presumably due to loss of unbound material, increase of film thickness was observed with GA and, in particular, EDGDE, what can be explained by the different crosslinking mechanisms. The biorepulsive properties of the crosslinked PG films were characterized by water contact angle (WCA) goniometry and various adsorption assays involving proteins (serum albumine, fibrinogen, γ-globulin) and bacteria (E. coli), showing that some crosslinkers (EGDGE, DVS) improved the biorepulsive properties, while others deteriorated them (TEG-Ms2, TEG-Br2, GA). As the crosslinking stabilized the films, it was possible to use a lift-off procedure to obtain free-standing membranes if the thickness of the films was 50 nm or larger. Their mechanical properties were examined with a bulge test showing high elasticities, with the Young's moduli increasing in the order GA ≈ EDGDE < TEG-Br2 ≈ TEG-Ms2 < DVS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Balser
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Department of Chemistry, Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Max-von-Laue-Str. 7, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Zhiyong Zhao
- Heidelberg University, Department of Applied Physical Chemistry, Im Neuenheimer Feld 253, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Zharnikov
- Heidelberg University, Department of Applied Physical Chemistry, Im Neuenheimer Feld 253, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Andreas Terfort
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Department of Chemistry, Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Max-von-Laue-Str. 7, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany.
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2
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Elastic Properties of Poly(ethylene glycol) Nanomembranes and Respective Implications. MEMBRANES 2022; 12:membranes12050509. [PMID: 35629834 PMCID: PMC9143594 DOI: 10.3390/membranes12050509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Free-standing poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) membranes were prepared from amine- and epoxy-terminated four-arm STAR-PEG precursors in a thickness range of 40–320 nm. The membranes feature high stability and an extreme elasticity, as emphasized by the very low values of Young’s modulus, varying from 2.08 MPa to 2.6 MPa over the studied thickness range. The extreme elasticity of the membranes stems from the elastomer-like character of the PEG network, consisting of the STAR-PEG cores interconnected by crosslinked PEG chains. This elasticity is only slightly affected by a moderate reduction in the interconnections at a deviation from the standard 1:1 composition of the precursors. However, both the elasticity and stability of the membranes are strongly deteriorated by a strong distortion of the network imposed by electron irradiation of the membranes. In contrast, exposure of the membranes to ultraviolet (UV) light (254 nm) does not affect their elastic properties, supporting the assumption that the only effect of such treatment is the decomposition of the PEG material with subsequent desorption of the released fragments. An analysis of the data allowed for the exclusion of so called “hot electrons” as a possible mechanism behind the modification of the PEG membranes by UV light.
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3
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Zhang X, Beyer A. Mechanics of free-standing inorganic and molecular 2D materials. NANOSCALE 2021; 13:1443-1484. [PMID: 33434243 DOI: 10.1039/d0nr07606f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The discovery of graphene has triggered a great interest in inorganic as well as molecular two-dimensional (2D) materials. In this review, we summarize recent progress in the mechanical characterization of free-standing 2D materials, such as graphene, hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), transition metal-dichalcogenides, MXenes, black phosphor, carbon nanomembranes (CNMs), 2D polymers, 2D metal organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs). Elastic, fracture, bending and interfacial properties of these materials have been determined using a variety of experimental techniques including atomic force microscopy based nanoindentation, in situ tensile/fracture testing, bulge testing, Raman spectroscopy, Brillouin light scattering and buckling-based metrology. Additionally, we address recent advances of 2D materials in a variety of mechanical applications, including resonators, microphones and nanoelectromechanical sensors. With the emphasis on progress and challenges in the mechanical characterization of inorganic and molecular 2D materials, we expect a continuous growth of interest and more systematic experimental work on the mechanics of such ultrathin nanomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianghui Zhang
- Physics of Supramolecular Systems and Surfaces, Bielefeld University, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany.
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Riedel R, Frese N, Yang F, Wortmann M, Dalpke R, Rhinow D, Hampp N, Gölzhäuser A. Fusion of purple membranes triggered by immobilization on carbon nanomembranes. BEILSTEIN JOURNAL OF NANOTECHNOLOGY 2021; 12:93-101. [PMID: 33564606 PMCID: PMC7849249 DOI: 10.3762/bjnano.12.8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
A freestanding ultrathin hybrid membrane was synthesized comprising two functional layers, that is, first, a carbon nanomembrane (CNM) produced by electron irradiation-induced cross-linking of a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of 4'-nitro-1,1'-biphenyl-4-thiol (NBPT) and second, purple membrane (PM) containing genetically modified bacteriorhodopsin (BR) carrying a C-terminal His-tag. The NBPT-CNM was further modified to carry nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) terminal groups for the interaction with the His-tagged PMs forming a quasi-monolayer of His-tagged PM on top of the CNM-NTA. The formation of the Ni-NTA/His-tag complex leads to the unidirectional orientation of PM on the CNM substrate. Electrophoretic sedimentation was employed to optimize the surface coverage and to close gaps between the PM patches. This procedure for the immobilization of oriented dense PM facilitates the spontaneous fusion of individual PM patches, forming larger membrane areas. This is, to our knowledge, the very first procedure described to induce the oriented fusion of PM on a solid support. The resulting hybrid membrane has a potential application as a light-driven two-dimensional proton-pumping membrane, for instance, for light-driven seawater desalination as envisioned soon after the discovery of PM.
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Affiliation(s)
- René Riedel
- Faculty of Chemistry and Materials Sciences Center, University of Marburg, Hans-Meerwein-Strasse, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Natalie Frese
- Physics of Supramolecular Systems and Surfaces, Faculty of Physics, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 25, D-33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Fang Yang
- Nano Biomaterials Group, Ningbo Institute of Industrial Technology, Chinese Academy of Science, China
| | - Martin Wortmann
- Faculty of Engineering and Mathematics, Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences, Interaktion 1, D-33619 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Raphael Dalpke
- Physics of Supramolecular Systems and Surfaces, Faculty of Physics, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 25, D-33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Daniel Rhinow
- Faculty of Chemistry and Materials Sciences Center, University of Marburg, Hans-Meerwein-Strasse, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
- Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Department of Structural Biology, Max-von-Laue-Str. 3, D-60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Norbert Hampp
- Faculty of Chemistry and Materials Sciences Center, University of Marburg, Hans-Meerwein-Strasse, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Armin Gölzhäuser
- Physics of Supramolecular Systems and Surfaces, Faculty of Physics, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 25, D-33615 Bielefeld, Germany
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Dalpke R, Dreyer A, Korzetz R, Dietz KJ, Beyer A. Selective Diffusion of CO 2 and H 2O through Carbon Nanomembranes in Aqueous Solution as Studied with Radioactive Tracers. J Phys Chem Lett 2020; 11:6737-6741. [PMID: 32787217 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.0c01821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Nanometer-thin carbon nanomembranes (CNMs) are promising candidates for efficient separation processes due to their thinness and intrinsic well-defined pore structure. This work used radioactive tracer molecules to characterize diffusion of [3H]H2O, [14C]NaHCO3, and [32P]H3PO4 through a p-[1,1',4',1″]-terphenyl-4-thiol (TPT) CNM in aqueous solution. The experimental setup consisted of two microcompartments separated by a CNM-covered micropore. Tracers were added to one compartment and their time-dependent increase in the other compartment was monitored. Occurring concentration polarization and outgassing effects were fully considered using a newly developed mathematical model. Our findings are consistent with previous gas/vapor permeation measurements. The high sensitivity toward a small molecule flow rate enables quantification of diffusion through micron-sized CNMs in aqueous solution. Furthermore, the results allow unambiguous distinction between intact and defective membranes. Even for extremely small membrane areas, this method allows detailed insight into the transmembrane transport properties, which is crucial for the design of 2D-separation membranes.
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Griffin E, Mogg L, Hao GP, Kalon G, Bacaksiz C, Lopez-Polin G, Zhou TY, Guarochico V, Cai J, Neumann C, Winter A, Mohn M, Lee JH, Lin J, Kaiser U, Grigorieva IV, Suenaga K, Özyilmaz B, Cheng HM, Ren W, Turchanin A, Peeters FM, Geim AK, Lozada-Hidalgo M. Proton and Li-Ion Permeation through Graphene with Eight-Atom-Ring Defects. ACS NANO 2020; 14:7280-7286. [PMID: 32427466 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.0c02496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Defect-free graphene is impermeable to gases and liquids but highly permeable to thermal protons. Atomic-scale defects such as vacancies, grain boundaries, and Stone-Wales defects are predicted to enhance graphene's proton permeability and may even allow small ions through, whereas larger species such as gas molecules should remain blocked. These expectations have so far remained untested in experiment. Here, we show that atomically thin carbon films with a high density of atomic-scale defects continue blocking all molecular transport, but their proton permeability becomes ∼1000 times higher than that of defect-free graphene. Lithium ions can also permeate through such disordered graphene. The enhanced proton and ion permeability is attributed to a high density of eight-carbon-atom rings. The latter pose approximately twice lower energy barriers for incoming protons compared to that of the six-atom rings of graphene and a relatively low barrier of ∼0.6 eV for Li ions. Our findings suggest that disordered graphene could be of interest as membranes and protective barriers in various Li-ion and hydrogen technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eoin Griffin
- Department of Physics and Astronomy & National Graphene Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Lucas Mogg
- Department of Physics and Astronomy & National Graphene Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Guang-Ping Hao
- Department of Physics and Astronomy & National Graphene Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Gopinadhan Kalon
- Department of Physics and Astronomy & National Graphene Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
- Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Gujarat 382355, India
| | - Cihan Bacaksiz
- Departement Fysica, Universiteit Antwerpen, Groenenborgerlaan 171, B-2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Guillermo Lopez-Polin
- Department of Physics and Astronomy & National Graphene Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
- Departamento de Física de la Materia Condensada, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - T Y Zhou
- Shenyang National Laboratory for Materials Science, Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Victor Guarochico
- Department of Physics and Astronomy & National Graphene Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Junhao Cai
- Department of Physics and Astronomy & National Graphene Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Christof Neumann
- Institute of Physical Chemistry and Center for Energy and Environmental Chemistry Jena (CEEC Jena), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Andreas Winter
- Institute of Physical Chemistry and Center for Energy and Environmental Chemistry Jena (CEEC Jena), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Michael Mohn
- Central Facility for Electron Microscopy, Electron Microscopy Group of Materials Science, Ulm University, Ulm 89081, Germany
| | - Jong Hak Lee
- Department of Physics, Department of Materials Science and Engineering & Centre for Advanced 2D Materials, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119260
| | - Junhao Lin
- National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tsukuba, Japan & Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo City, Tokyo 100-8921, Japan
- Department of Physics, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Ute Kaiser
- Central Facility for Electron Microscopy, Electron Microscopy Group of Materials Science, Ulm University, Ulm 89081, Germany
| | - Irina V Grigorieva
- Department of Physics and Astronomy & National Graphene Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Kazu Suenaga
- National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tsukuba, Japan & Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo City, Tokyo 100-8921, Japan
| | - Barbaros Özyilmaz
- Department of Physics, Department of Materials Science and Engineering & Centre for Advanced 2D Materials, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119260
| | - Hui-Min Cheng
- Shenyang National Laboratory for Materials Science, Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, China
- Shenzhen Graphene Center, Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Wencai Ren
- Shenyang National Laboratory for Materials Science, Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Andrey Turchanin
- Institute of Physical Chemistry and Center for Energy and Environmental Chemistry Jena (CEEC Jena), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Francois M Peeters
- Departement Fysica, Universiteit Antwerpen, Groenenborgerlaan 171, B-2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Andre K Geim
- Department of Physics and Astronomy & National Graphene Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Marcelo Lozada-Hidalgo
- Department of Physics and Astronomy & National Graphene Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
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7
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Elasticity of Cross-Linked Titania Nanocrystal Assemblies Probed by AFM-Bulge Tests. NANOMATERIALS 2019; 9:nano9091230. [PMID: 31470667 PMCID: PMC6780250 DOI: 10.3390/nano9091230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Revised: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 08/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
In order to enable advanced technological applications of nanocrystal composites, e.g., as functional coatings and layers in flexible optics and electronics, it is necessary to understand and control their mechanical properties. The objective of this study was to show how the elasticity of such composites depends on the nanocrystals’ dimensionality. To this end, thin films of titania nanodots (TNDs; diameter: ~3–7 nm), nanorods (TNRs; diameter: ~3.4 nm; length: ~29 nm), and nanoplates (TNPs; thickness: ~6 nm; edge length: ~34 nm) were assembled via layer-by-layer spin-coating. 1,12-dodecanedioic acid (12DAC) was added to cross-link the nanocrystals and to enable regular film deposition. The optical attenuation coefficients of the films were determined by ultraviolet/visible (UV/vis) absorbance measurements, revealing much lower values than those known for titania films prepared via chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images showed a homogeneous coverage of the substrates on the µm-scale but a highly disordered arrangement of nanocrystals on the nm-scale. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses confirmed the presence of the 12DAC cross-linker after film fabrication. After transferring the films onto silicon substrates featuring circular apertures (diameter: 32–111 µm), freestanding membranes (thickness: 20–42 nm) were obtained and subjected to atomic force microscopy bulge tests (AFM-bulge tests). These measurements revealed increasing elastic moduli with increasing dimensionality of the nanocrystals, i.e., 2.57 ± 0.18 GPa for the TND films, 5.22 ± 0.39 GPa for the TNR films, and 7.21 ± 1.04 GPa for the TNP films.
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8
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Zhang X, Marschewski E, Penner P, Weimann T, Hinze P, Beyer A, Gölzhäuser A. Large-Area All-Carbon Nanocapacitors from Graphene and Carbon Nanomembranes. ACS NANO 2018; 12:10301-10309. [PMID: 30156406 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.8b05490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
We report on the fabrication of large-area all-carbon capacitors (ACCs) composed of multilayer stacks of carbon nanomembranes as dielectrics sandwiched between two carbon-based conducting electrodes. Carbon nanomembranes (CNMs) are prepared from aromatic self-assembled monolayers of phenylthiol homologues via electron irradiation. Two types of carbon-based electrode materials, (1) trilayer graphene made by chemical vapor deposition and mechanical stacking and (2) pyrolyzed graphitic carbon made by pyrolysis of cross-linked aromatic molecules, have been employed for this study. The capacitor area is defined by the width of electrode ribbons, and the separation between two electrodes is tuned by the number of CNM layers. Working ACCs with an area of up to 1200 μm2 were successfully fabricated by a combination of bottom-up molecular self-assembly and top-down lithographic approaches. Then ACCs were characterized by Raman spectroscopy, helium ion microscopy, and impedance spectroscopy. A dielectric constant of 3.5 and an average capacitance density of 0.3 μF/cm2 were derived from the obtained capacitances. A dielectric strength of 3.2 MV/cm was determined for CNMs embedded in graphene electrodes with the interfacial capacitance being taken into account. These results show the potential of carbon nanomembranes to be used as dielectric components in next-generation environment-friendly carbon-based energy storage devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianghui Zhang
- Physics of Supramolecular Systems and Surfaces , Bielefeld University , 33615 Bielefeld , Germany
| | - Emanuel Marschewski
- Physics of Supramolecular Systems and Surfaces , Bielefeld University , 33615 Bielefeld , Germany
| | - Paul Penner
- Physics of Supramolecular Systems and Surfaces , Bielefeld University , 33615 Bielefeld , Germany
| | - Thomas Weimann
- Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt , 38116 Braunschweig , Germany
| | - Peter Hinze
- Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt , 38116 Braunschweig , Germany
| | - André Beyer
- Physics of Supramolecular Systems and Surfaces , Bielefeld University , 33615 Bielefeld , Germany
| | - Armin Gölzhäuser
- Physics of Supramolecular Systems and Surfaces , Bielefeld University , 33615 Bielefeld , Germany
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Zhang X, Mainka M, Paneff F, Hachmeister H, Beyer A, Gölzhäuser A, Huser T. Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy of Carbon Nanomembranes from Aromatic Self-Assembled Monolayers. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2018; 34:2692-2698. [PMID: 29377707 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.7b03956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Surface-enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy (SERS) was employed to investigate the formation of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of biphenylthiol, 4'-nitro-1,1'-biphenyl-4-thiol, and p-terphenylthiol on Au surfaces and their structural transformations into carbon nanomembranes (CNMs) induced by electron irradiation. The high sensitivity of SERS allows us to identify two types of Raman scattering in electron-irradiated SAMs: (1) Raman-active sites exhibit similar bands as those of pristine SAMs in the fingerprint spectral region, but with indications of an amorphization process and (2) Raman-inactive sites show almost no Raman-scattering signals, except a very weak and broad D band, indicating a lack of structural order but for the presence of graphitic domains. Statistical analysis showed that the ratio of the number of Raman-active sites to the total number of measurement sites decreases exponentially with increasing the electron irradiation dose. The maximum degree of cross-linking ranged from 97 to 99% for the three SAMs. Proof-of-concept experiments were conducted to demonstrate potential applications of Raman-inactive CNMs as a supporting membrane for Raman analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianghui Zhang
- Physics of Supramolecular Systems and Surfaces, Faculty of Physics, and ‡Biomolecular Photonics, Faculty of Physics, Bielefeld University , 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Marcel Mainka
- Physics of Supramolecular Systems and Surfaces, Faculty of Physics, and ‡Biomolecular Photonics, Faculty of Physics, Bielefeld University , 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Florian Paneff
- Physics of Supramolecular Systems and Surfaces, Faculty of Physics, and ‡Biomolecular Photonics, Faculty of Physics, Bielefeld University , 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Henning Hachmeister
- Physics of Supramolecular Systems and Surfaces, Faculty of Physics, and ‡Biomolecular Photonics, Faculty of Physics, Bielefeld University , 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - André Beyer
- Physics of Supramolecular Systems and Surfaces, Faculty of Physics, and ‡Biomolecular Photonics, Faculty of Physics, Bielefeld University , 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Armin Gölzhäuser
- Physics of Supramolecular Systems and Surfaces, Faculty of Physics, and ‡Biomolecular Photonics, Faculty of Physics, Bielefeld University , 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Thomas Huser
- Physics of Supramolecular Systems and Surfaces, Faculty of Physics, and ‡Biomolecular Photonics, Faculty of Physics, Bielefeld University , 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
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10
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Berger C, Phillips R, Centeno A, Zurutuza A, Vijayaraghavan A. Capacitive pressure sensing with suspended graphene-polymer heterostructure membranes. NANOSCALE 2017; 9:17439-17449. [PMID: 29105718 DOI: 10.1039/c7nr04621a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
We describe the fabrication and characterisation of a capacitive pressure sensor formed by an ultra-thin graphene-polymer heterostructure membrane spanning a large array of micro-cavities each up to 30 μm in diameter with 100% yield. Sensors covering an area of just 1 mm2 show reproducible pressure transduction under static and dynamic loading up to pressures of 250 kPa. The measured capacitance change in response to pressure is in good agreement with calculations. Further, we demonstrate high-sensitivity pressure sensors by applying a novel strained membrane transfer and optimising the sensor architecture. This method enables suspended structures with less than 50 nm of air dielectric gap, giving a pressure sensitivity of 123 aF Pa-1 mm-2 over a pressure range of 0 to 100 kPa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Berger
- School of Materials and National Graphene Institute, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
| | - Rory Phillips
- School of Materials and National Graphene Institute, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
| | - Alba Centeno
- Graphenea S.A., 20018 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | | | - Aravind Vijayaraghavan
- School of Materials and National Graphene Institute, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
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Turchanin A, Gölzhäuser A. Carbon Nanomembranes. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2016; 28:6075-6103. [PMID: 27281234 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201506058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2015] [Revised: 01/31/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Carbon nanomembranes (CNMs) are synthetic 2D carbon sheets with tailored physical or chemical properties. These depend on the structure, molecular composition, and surroundings on either side. Due to their molecular thickness, they can be regarded as "interfaces without bulk" separating regions of different gaseous, liquid, or solid components and controlling the materials exchange between them. Here, a universal scheme for the fabrication of 1 nm-thick, mechanically stable, functional CNMs is presented. CNMs can be further modified, for example perforated by ion bombardment or chemically functionalized by the binding of other molecules onto the surfaces. The underlying physical and chemical mechanisms are described, and examples are presented for the engineering of complex surface architectures, e.g., nanopatterns of proteins, fluorescent dyes, or polymer brushes. A simple transfer procedure allows CNMs to be placed on various support structures, which makes them available for diverse applications: supports for electron and X-ray microscopy, nanolithography, nanosieves, Janus nanomembranes, polymer carpets, complex layered structures, functionalization of graphene, novel nanoelectronic and nanomechanical devices. To close, the potential of CNMs in filtration and sensorics is discussed. Based on tests for the separation of gas molecules, it is argued that ballistic membranes may play a prominent role in future efforts of materials separation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrey Turchanin
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Lessingstraße 10, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Armin Gölzhäuser
- Faculty of Physics, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstr. 25, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
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Zhang X, Neumann C, Angelova P, Beyer A, Gölzhäuser A. Tailoring the mechanics of ultrathin carbon nanomembranes by molecular design. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2014; 30:8221-8227. [PMID: 24946144 DOI: 10.1021/la501961d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Freestanding carbon nanomembranes (CNMs) with a thickness between 0.6 and 1.7 nm were prepared from self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of diverse polyaromatic precursors via low-energy electron-induced cross-linking. The mechanical properties of CNMs were investigated using AFM bulge test, where a pressure difference was applied to the membrane and the resulting deflection was measured by atomic force microscopy. We found a correlation between the rigidity of the precursor molecules and the macroscopic mechanical stiffness of CNMs. While CNMs from rigid and condensed precursors like naphthalene and pyrene thiols prove to exhibit higher Young's moduli of 15-19 GPa, CNMs from nonfused oligophenyls possess lower Young's moduli of ~10 GPa. For CNMs from less densely packed SAMs, the presence of defects and nanopores plays an important role in determining their mechanical properties. The finite element method (FEM) was applied to examine the deformation profiles and simulate the pressure-deflection relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianghui Zhang
- Physics of Supramolecular Systems and Surfaces, University of Bielefeld , Bielefeld 33615, Germany
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Mrugalla A, Schnack J. Classical molecular dynamics investigations of biphenyl-based carbon nanomembranes. BEILSTEIN JOURNAL OF NANOTECHNOLOGY 2014; 5:865-871. [PMID: 24991523 PMCID: PMC4077425 DOI: 10.3762/bjnano.5.98] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2013] [Accepted: 05/27/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Free-standing carbon nanomembranes (CNM) with molecular thickness and macroscopic size are fascinating objects both for fundamental reasons and for applications in nanotechnology. Although being made from simple and identical precursors their internal structure is not fully known and hard to simulate due to the large system size that is necessary to draw definite conclusions. RESULTS We performed large-scale classical molecular dynamics investigations of biphenyl-based carbon nanomembranes. We show that one-dimensional graphene-like stripes constitute a highly symmetric quasi one-dimensional energetically favorable ground state. This state does not cross-link. Instead cross-linked structures are formed from highly excited precursors with a sufficient amount of broken phenyls. CONCLUSION The internal structure of the CNM is very likely described by a disordered metastable state which is formed in the energetic initial process of electron irradiation and depends on the process of relaxation into the sheet phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Mrugalla
- Fakultät für Physik, Universität Bielefeld, Postfach 100131, D-33501 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Jürgen Schnack
- Fakultät für Physik, Universität Bielefeld, Postfach 100131, D-33501 Bielefeld, Germany
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Ai M, Shishatskiy S, Wind J, Zhang X, Nottbohm CT, Mellech N, Winter A, Vieker H, Qiu J, Dietz KJ, Gölzhäuser A, Beyer A. Carbon nanomembranes (CNMs) supported by polymer: mechanics and gas permeation. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2014; 26:3421-3426. [PMID: 24535992 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201304536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2013] [Revised: 11/11/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Gas permeation characteristics of carbon nanomembranes (CNMs) from self-assembled monolayers are reported for the first time. The assembly of CNMs onto polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) support membranes allows mechanical measurements under compression as well as determination of gas permeation characteristics. The results suggest that molecular-sized channels in CNMs dominate the permeation properties of the 1 nm thin CNMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Ai
- Fakultät für Physik, Universität Bielefeld, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
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Meyerbröker N, Zharnikov M. Ultraflexible, freestanding nanomembranes based on poly(ethylene glycol). ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2014; 26:3328-3332. [PMID: 24677589 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201305480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2013] [Revised: 12/23/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Extremely elastic and highly stable nanomembranes of variable thickness (5-350 nm) made completely of poly(ethylene glycol) are prepared by a simple procedure. The membranes exhibit distinct biorepulsive and hydrogel properties. They offer new possibilities for applications such as supports in transmission electron microscopy, matrices for inorganic nanoparticles, and pressure-sensitive elements for sensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaus Meyerbröker
- Institut für Angewandte Physikalische Chemie, Universität Heidelberg, INF 253, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
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Zhang X, Vieker H, Beyer A, Gölzhäuser A. Fabrication of carbon nanomembranes by helium ion beam lithography. BEILSTEIN JOURNAL OF NANOTECHNOLOGY 2014; 5:188-94. [PMID: 24605285 PMCID: PMC3943867 DOI: 10.3762/bjnano.5.20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2013] [Accepted: 01/22/2014] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The irradiation-induced cross-linking of aromatic self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) is a universal method for the fabrication of ultrathin carbon nanomembranes (CNMs). Here we demonstrate the cross-linking of aromatic SAMs due to exposure to helium ions. The distinction of cross-linked from non-cross-linked regions in the SAM was facilitated by transferring the irradiated SAM to a new substrate, which allowed for an ex situ observation of the cross-linking process by helium ion microscopy (HIM). In this way, three growth regimes of cross-linked areas were identified: formation of nuclei, one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) growth. The evaluation of the corresponding HIM images revealed the dose-dependent coverage, i.e., the relative monolayer area, whose density of cross-links surpassed a certain threshold value, as a function of the exposure dose. A complete cross-linking of aromatic SAMs by He(+) ion irradiation requires an exposure dose of about 850 µC/cm(2), which is roughly 60 times smaller than the corresponding electron irradiation dose. Most likely, this is due to the energy distribution of secondary electrons shifted to lower energies, which results in a more efficient dissociative electron attachment (DEA) process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianghui Zhang
- Department of Physics, Physics of Supramolecular Systems and Surfaces, Bielefeld University, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Henning Vieker
- Department of Physics, Physics of Supramolecular Systems and Surfaces, Bielefeld University, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - André Beyer
- Department of Physics, Physics of Supramolecular Systems and Surfaces, Bielefeld University, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Armin Gölzhäuser
- Department of Physics, Physics of Supramolecular Systems and Surfaces, Bielefeld University, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
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Huang C, Moosmann M, Jin J, Heiler T, Walheim S, Schimmel T. Polymer blend lithography: A versatile method to fabricate nanopatterned self-assembled monolayers. BEILSTEIN JOURNAL OF NANOTECHNOLOGY 2012; 3:620-8. [PMID: 23019558 PMCID: PMC3458608 DOI: 10.3762/bjnano.3.71] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2012] [Accepted: 08/09/2012] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
A rapid and cost-effective lithographic method, polymer blend lithography (PBL), is reported to produce patterned self-assembled monolayers (SAM) on solid substrates featuring two or three different chemical functionalities. For the pattern generation we use the phase separation of two immiscible polymers in a blend solution during a spin-coating process. By controlling the spin-coating parameters and conditions, including the ambient atmosphere (humidity), the molar mass of the polystyrene (PS) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), and the mass ratio between the two polymers in the blend solution, the formation of a purely lateral morphology (PS islands standing on the substrate while isolated in the PMMA matrix) can be reproducibly induced. Either of the formed phases (PS or PMMA) can be selectively dissolved afterwards, and the remaining phase can be used as a lift-off mask for the formation of a nanopatterned functional silane monolayer. This "monolayer copy" of the polymer phase morphology has a topographic contrast of about 1.3 nm. A demonstration of tuning of the PS island diameter is given by changing the molar mass of PS. Moreover, polymer blend lithography can provide the possibility of fabricating a surface with three different chemical components: This is demonstrated by inducing breath figures (evaporated condensed entity) at higher humidity during the spin-coating process. Here we demonstrate the formation of a lateral pattern consisting of regions covered with 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyltrichlorosilane (FDTS) and (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES), and at the same time featuring regions of bare SiO(x). The patterning process could be applied even on meter-sized substrates with various functional SAM molecules, making this process suitable for the rapid preparation of quasi two-dimensional nanopatterned functional substrates, e.g., for the template-controlled growth of ZnO nanostructures [1].
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Huang
- Institute of Nanotechnology (INT), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), 76021 Karlsruhe, Germany
- Institute of Applied Physics and Center for Functional Nanostructures (CFN), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), 76128 Karlsruhe, Germany
- Joint Research Laboratory Nanomaterials Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)/Darmstadt University of Technology, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Markus Moosmann
- Institute of Nanotechnology (INT), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), 76021 Karlsruhe, Germany
- Institute of Applied Physics and Center for Functional Nanostructures (CFN), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), 76128 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Jiehong Jin
- Institute of Nanotechnology (INT), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), 76021 Karlsruhe, Germany
- Institute of Applied Physics and Center for Functional Nanostructures (CFN), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), 76128 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Tobias Heiler
- Institute of Nanotechnology (INT), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), 76021 Karlsruhe, Germany
- Institute of Applied Physics and Center for Functional Nanostructures (CFN), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), 76128 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Stefan Walheim
- Institute of Nanotechnology (INT), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), 76021 Karlsruhe, Germany
- Institute of Applied Physics and Center for Functional Nanostructures (CFN), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), 76128 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Thomas Schimmel
- Institute of Nanotechnology (INT), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), 76021 Karlsruhe, Germany
- Institute of Applied Physics and Center for Functional Nanostructures (CFN), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), 76128 Karlsruhe, Germany
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