Stefan Dilfer

Virus-templated synthesis of ZnO nanostructures and formation of field-effect transistors.

The search for novel methods for the synthesis of nanostructured materials is an important step towards the miniaturization of multifunctional devices, which requires careful and appropriate integration of various materials into a single unit. However, most of the conventional synthesis methods for multicomponent systems involve harsh reaction conditions and thereby introduce limitations in the choice of materials to be combined. For instance, in ceramic synthesis methods, extreme heating and/or pressure are often used, which may be inapplicable to certain components of a device structure. Further factors critical to the miniaturization are the size of the obtained powder particles and their tendency to agglomerate. Hence, the integration of different materials is still a challenging goal and can hardly be achieved by conventional processing. Biomineralization is a process used by organisms to generate composite materials composed of organic and inorganic phases, which often exhibit exceptional properties. [ 1 ] Organic molecules, such as peptides, proteins, or polysaccharides, guide the crystal growth at ambient conditions that eventually determine the morphology and the functional properties of the materials. [ 2 ] The integration of biomolecules as templates or structure-directing agents, on the other hand, offers the opportunity to explore alternative low-temperature methods in the synthesis of bioinorganic hybrid materials with novel tailored functionalities. [ 3 , 4 ] For some applications, however, the adaptation of bionic mineralization approaches to the synthesis of artifi cial composite materials is not possible, since no interactions between the inorganic phase

Zinc oxide derived from single source precursor chemistry under chimie douce conditions: formation pathway, defect chemistry and possible applications in thin film printing

A series of zinc complexes with oximate ligands is investigated for their suitability as precursors for zinc oxide in inkjet printing. The variation of hydrogen and alkyl groups in the side chains of the oximate framework (R1–ON–C2O2–R2) of the corresponding zinc complexes influences the decomposition temperature, and also important parameters such as solubility and wettability. Detailed investigations of the degradation mechanism reveal their behavior as excellent single source precursors for ZnO under very mild (chimie douce) conditions. Best results for the formation of zinc oxide thin films are obtained with solutions of [2-(methoxyimino)propanato]zinc in methoxyethanol. By calcincation well adherent (tensile strength of 1.95 (±0.95) MPa) nanocrystalline films of zincite are formed. This technique is applied for inkjet printing of ceramic layers on polyethylene-terephthalate thin films. Results of EPR spectroscopy studies on the ZnO nanoparticles are in accord with a core–shell model in which the grain particles of the core consist of vacancy centers which are electronically different from the surrounding shell of the ZnO nanoparticles.

Printing conductive layers using waterless offset technology considering the influences of the low-viscosity polymer inks and the rubber blankets

This study describes the application of conductive polymer inks onto PET foils by the waterless offset printing technique. Commercially available conductive polymer inks were employed, which exhibit significantly lower viscosities than conventional offset printing inks. The main focus was put on the influence of the rubber blanket, which covers the blanket cylinder of the offset printing unit, on the morphology and electrical properties of the printed conductive polymer layers. Since film splitting occurs between substrate and rubber blanket, the latter affects the amount of ink which is transferred by the printing process. The wet film thickness of the printed material was determined for different rubber blanket specifications and inking rates. In addition, the resistivity of the printed conductive polymer layer was measured after flue-curing of the samples. Further, the electrical performance on corona-treated and untreated PET substrate foils was compared.