Reliability of Self-Assembled Hydrophobic Coatings: Chemical Resistance and Mechanical Durability

摘要

We report on hydrophobic self-assembled nano-scale coatings with improved chemical and mechanical stability on both Al and Si substrates. These improvements were obtained by using a new molecular deposition method known as MVD™, which combines and integrates the vapor deposition process of self-assembled monolayers with various surface preparation techniques and adhesion layers. The packaging density and therefore durability of the SAM coatings can be increased by using an in-situ adhesion layer deposited as an intermediary layer in a dual-layer process sequence. We present data on the chemical stability of the composite MVD layers in immersion to liquids frequently used in biochemistry and spectroscopy applications. The measured mechanical stability of a hydrophobic FDTS films was superior to perfluorinated DLC coatings as tested using standard wipe tests.