Free-Standing Porous and Nonporous Polyethylene Thin Films Using Spin Coating: An Alternate to the Extrusion–Stretching Process
Junaid Saleem, Zubair Khalid Baig Moghal, A. S. Luyt, Abdul Shakoor, Gordon McKay
Abstract
Spin coating is widely used in the preparation of thin films as it yields reproducible results with uniform surface and controlled thickness. However, free-standing thin films of polyolefins have never been produced using spin coating as the coated films do not have sufficient strength to maintain their integrity without a supporting layer or substrate. Herein, we report free-standing thin films of polyolefins such as polyethylene with varying thickness ranging from 5 to 20 μm. In one such combination, 30% porosity, 5 MPa tensile strength, and 7 μm thickness were achieved. These films can be used as hydrophobic coating, filtration membranes, and oil-sorbents.
Topics & Concepts
Materials sciencePorosityCoatingPolyethyleneSpin coatingComposite materialThin filmUltimate tensile strengthLayer (electronics)ExtrusionSubstrate (aquarium)MembraneNanotechnologyChemistryBiochemistryGeologyOceanographySurface Modification and SuperhydrophobicityAdvanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting MaterialsHigh voltage insulation and dielectric phenomena