The authors have no acknowledgements.

1. Synthesis of CMP Thin Films through Sequential Addition
<ol>
	<li>Self-assembled monolayer (SAM) functionalization of gold on mica.
	<ol>
		<li>Prepare 1 mM solution of 11-thioacetyl-undecane acid-propargyl amide14 in ethanol (SAM-solution). Mix using ultrasonic bath till solution is clear. Protect the bottle from light using aluminum foil.</li>
		<li>Obtain gold coated mica wafer under argon. After withdrawal from the storage container immerse the mica wafer directly to the SAM-solution for 18 hr.</li>
		<li>Take the prepared Au-mica wafer out of the SAM-solution, rinse with ethanol and dry under nitrogen stream. Afterwards store the substrate protected from light and under inert gas.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Precursor solutions.
	<ol>
		<li>Weigh 18.64 mg Cu-catalyst (Tetrakis(acetonitrile)copper(I)hexafluoro-phosphate), 20.83 mg tetraphenylmethane (TPM)-alkyne and 24.22 mg TPM-azide and fill each component into a separate Schlenk flask. See Figure 1 for TPM-alkyne and TPM-azide, the synthesis is described in Reference15. Evacuate and refill with inert gas (N2 or argon) 3 times.</li>
		<li>Add 25 ml water-free tetrahydrofuran (THF) to each Schlenk flask. Protect the flasks with TPM-azide and TPM-alkyne from light using aluminum foil.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Prepare apparatus for CMP fabrication. 
	Note: The synthesis apparatus is shown in Figure 2.
	<ol>
		<li>Use a 250 ml one neck round bottom flask. Fill in 130 ml THF. Put the prepared substrate coated with alkyne terminated SAM in the sample compartment. Use a sample holder, so that the substrate is standing upright.</li>
		<li>Connect the apparatus to the Schlenk line via the junction on top of the reflux cooler.</li>
		<li>Evacuate and ventilate with inert gas 3 times.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Sequential addition under inert conditions.
	<ol>
		<li>Set the heater to 90 &#176;C and wait till the THF is refluxing.</li>
		<li>Let out THF from the sample compartment over the outlet at the bottom of the sample compartment. Close the outlet.</li>
		<li>Give 1 ml of the prepared TPM-azide solution and 0.5 ml of the Cu(I) catalyst solution to the sample compartment via the screw cap with septum. Use a syringe with a hollow needle to transfer the solutions sequentially from the Schlenk flask to the reaction apparatus. Note: The sequence has no influence to the reaction.</li>
		<li>Wait approximately 30 min.</li>
		<li>Let out the reaction solution over the outlet at the bottom of the sample compartment. Close the outlet and collect the condensed THF for rinsing the sample. Wait approximately 30 min.</li>
		<li>Let out the rinsing solution over the outlet at the bottom of the sample compartment. Close the outlet.</li>
		<li>Give 1 ml of the prepared TPM-alkyne solution and 0.5 ml of the Cu(I) catalyst solution to the sample compartment via the screw cap with septum. Use a syringe with a hollow needle to transfer the solutions sequentially from the Schlenk flask to the reaction apparatus. Note: The sequence has no influence to the reaction.</li>
		<li>Wait approximately 30 min.</li>
		<li>Let out the reaction solution over the outlet at the bottom of the sample compartment. Close the outlet and collect the condensed THF for rinsing the sample. Wait approximately 30 min.</li>
		<li>Repeat steps 1.4.3 to 1.4.9 until the desired amount of layers is reached. Note: One layer is approximately 1 nm thick.</li>
		<li>Take out the CMP-coated mica substrate, rinse it with THF, ethanol and dry it under nitrogen stream.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>
2. Transfer of CMP Nanomembranes
<ol>
	<li>Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) solution.
	<ol>
		<li>Prepare a solution of 4% (wt) PMMA (M 996 kDa) in ethyl acetate. Dissolve the PMMA using ultrasonic bath till the solution is clear.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Spin coating of PMMA solution.
	<ol>
		<li>Set the spin coater to ramp time 10 sec from 0 to 4,000 rpm, holding time 40 sec and ramp time 10 sec from 4,000 to 0 rpm.</li>
		<li>Place the CMP coated mica substrate on the spin coater and put the PMMA solution on the wafer till it is completely covered. Start the spin coater.</li>
		<li>After spin coating is completed, put the sample for 5 min on a heating plate at 90 &#176;C.</li>
		<li>Cut off 1 mm from each edge of the coated mica substrate. Use a scissor to cut the edges.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Transfer of PMMA coated CMP nanomembrane.
	<ol>
		<li>Prepare solution of I2/KI/H2O (1:4:40 m/m/m) and of KI/H2O (1:10 m/m).</li>
		<li>Fill the I2/KI H2O solution in a 150 ml crystallizing dish and fill the KI/H2O solution in a 100 ml crystallizing dish. Put the PMMA coated CMP gold on mica substrate, with mica in contact to solution, on top of the I2/KI/H2O solution. Be careful that it does not sink. Wait at least 5 min.</li>
		<li>Put the PMMA coated CMP gold mica substrate from the I2/KI/H2O solution on top of the KI/H2O solution, with mica in contact to solution. Be careful that it does not sink. Wait at least 5 min.</li>
		<li>Fill distilled water in a 250 ml crystallizing dish. Strip off the PMMA/CMP/gold film from the mica. Do this by slightly immersing the substrate, beginning from one edge, in distilled water. Hold the substrate so that the mica is pointing to the water. Note: The procedure is shown in Figure 3.</li>
		<li>Dip-coat the PMMA/CMP/gold on the silicon wafer. Do this by approaching the PMMA/CMP/gold slowly with the wafer until it touches edge of the swimming PMMA/CMP/gold membrane. Pull out the silicon wafer slowly, once the Si-wafer is in contact with the PMMA/CMP/gold membrane.</li>
		<li>Strip the PMMA/CMP/gold film off from the silicon wafer. Do this by slightly immersing the substrate, beginning from one edge, in the I2/KI/H2O solution. Wait 15 min.</li>
		<li>After the gold is completely etched, transfer the PMMA/CMP membrane to water via the silicon wafer. Wait 15 min.</li>
		<li>Repeat step 2.3.7 three times to wash the membrane with water.</li>
		<li>Transfer the washed PMMA/CMP membrane to the desired substrate, e.g., a microscope slide or a gold coated silicon wafer, via the method mentioned in step 2.3.5. Let the PMMA/CMP substrate dry in air for at least 2 hr.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Dissolution of PMMA.
	<ol>
		<li>Put the PMMA/CMP substrate in acetone. Wait 30 min. Take out the substrate and rinse it with acetone.</li>
		<li>Repeat step 2.4.1 three times.</li>
		<li>Let the CMP substrate dry for at least 2 hr.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>

<ol>
	<li>Lindemann, P., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Preparation+of+Freestanding+Conjugated+Microporous+Polymer+Nanomembranes+for+Gas+Separation.">Preparation of Freestanding Conjugated Microporous Polymer Nanomembranes for Gas Separation.</a> Chemistry of Materials. 26 (24), 7193-71 (2014).</li><li>Kim, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Preparation+of+Ultrathin+Films+of+Molecular+Networks+through+Layer-by-Layer+Cross-Linking+Polymerization+of+Tetrafunctional+Monomers.">Preparation of Ultrathin Films of Molecular Networks through Layer-by-Layer Cross-Linking Polymerization of Tetrafunctional Monomers.</a> Macromolecules. 44 (18), 7092-7095 (2011).</li><li>Vonh&#246;ren, B., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ultrafast+Layer-by-Layer+Assembly+of+Thin+Organic+Films+Based+on+Triazolinedione+Click+Chemistry.">Ultrafast Layer-by-Layer Assembly of Thin Organic Films Based on Triazolinedione Click Chemistry.</a> ACS Macro Letters. 4 (3), 331-334 (2015).</li><li>Shekhah, O., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Step-by-Step+Route+for+the+Synthesis+of+Metal&#8722;Organic+Frameworks.">Step-by-Step Route for the Synthesis of Metal&#8722;Organic Frameworks.</a> Journal of the American Chemical Society. 129 (49), 15118-15119 (2007).</li><li>Shekhah, O., Wang, H., Zacher, D., Fischer, R. A., W&#246;ll, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Growth+Mechanism+of+Metal&#8211;Organic+Frameworks:+Insights+into+the+Nucleation+by+Employing+a+Step-by-Step+Route.">Growth Mechanism of Metal&#8211;Organic Frameworks: Insights into the Nucleation by Employing a Step-by-Step Route.</a> Angewandte Chemie International Edition. 48 (27), 5038-5041 (2009).</li><li>Shekhah, O., Liu, J., Fischer, R. A., W&#246;ll, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=MOF+thin+films:+existing+and+future+applications.">MOF thin films: existing and future applications.</a> Chemical Society Reviews. 40 (2), 1081-1106 (2011).</li><li>Liu, J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Deposition+of+Metal-Organic+Frameworks+by+Liquid-Phase+Epitaxy:+The+Influence+of+Substrate+Functional+Group+Density+on+Film+Orientation.">Deposition of Metal-Organic Frameworks by Liquid-Phase Epitaxy: The Influence of Substrate Functional Group Density on Film Orientation.</a> Materials. 5 (9), 1581-1592 (2012).</li><li>Such, G. K., Quinn, J. F., Quinn, A., Tjipto, E., Caruso, F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Assembly+of+Ultrathin+Polymer+Multilayer+Films+by+Click+Chemistry.">Assembly of Ultrathin Polymer Multilayer Films by Click Chemistry.</a> Journal of the American Chemical Society. 128 (29), 9318-9319 (2006).</li><li>Ai, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Carbon+Nanomembranes+(CNMs)+Supported+by+Polymer:+Mechanics+and+Gas+Permeation.">Carbon Nanomembranes (CNMs) Supported by Polymer: Mechanics and Gas Permeation.</a> Advanced Materials. 26 (21), 3421-3426 (2014).</li><li>Jiang, J. -. X., Cooper, A. I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=in+Functional+Metal-Organic+Frameworks:+Gas+Storage,+Separation+and+Catalysis.">in Functional Metal-Organic Frameworks: Gas Storage, Separation and Catalysis.</a> Topics in Current Chemistry. (ed Martin Schr&#246;der) Ch. 293, 1-33 (2010).</li><li>Dawson, R., Cooper, A. I., Adams, D. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Nanoporous+organic+polymer+networks.">Nanoporous organic polymer networks.</a> Progress in Polymer Science. 37 (4), 530-563 (2012).</li><li>Muller, T., Br&#228;se, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Click+Chemistry+Finds+Its+Way+into+Covalent+Porous+Organic+Materials.">Click Chemistry Finds Its Way into Covalent Porous Organic Materials.</a> Angewandte Chemie International Edition. 50 (50), 11844-11845 (2011).</li><li>Tsotsalas, M., Addicoat, M. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Covalently+linked+organic+networks.">Covalently linked organic networks.</a> Frontiers in Materials. 2, (2015).</li><li>Kleinert, M., Winkler, T., Terfort, A., Lindhorst, T. K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+modular+approach+for+the+construction+and+modification+of+glyco-SAMs+utilizing+1,3-dipolar+cycloaddition.">A modular approach for the construction and modification of glyco-SAMs utilizing 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition.</a> Organic &amp; Biomolecular Chemistry. 6 (12), 2118-2132 (2008).</li><li>Plietzsch, O., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Four-fold+click+reactions:+Generation+of+tetrahedral+methane-+and+adamantane-based+building+blocks+for+higher-order+molecular+assemblies.">Four-fold click reactions: Generation of tetrahedral methane- and adamantane-based building blocks for higher-order molecular assemblies.</a> Organic &amp; Biomolecular Chemistry. 7, (2009).</li><li>Greenler, R. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Infrared+Study+of+Adsorbed+Molecules+on+Metal+Surfaces+by+Reflection+Techniques.">Infrared Study of Adsorbed Molecules on Metal Surfaces by Reflection Techniques.</a> The Journal of Chemical Physics. 44 (1), (1966).</li></ol>

The authors have nothing to disclose.

For the synthesis of the CMP-film the solution of the catalyst has to be fresh. A broken catalyst (i.e., oxidized) is indicated by a blue coloration of the solution. The fresh solution is colorless.
A crucial point is to cut the edges of the mica substrate after spin coating PMMA. Also defects in the substrate should be cut, i.e., each spot were the PMMA can come in contact with the mica substrate, because of a missing gold layer. Otherwise the gold layer cannot be stripped o...

The preparation of ultra-thin polymer membranes is of high interest for applications in gas separation and nanofiltration. Challenges in the synthesis are represented by (a) the control of the membrane thickness and the homogeneity and (b) transfer of such fragile membranes. To overcome challenge (a), molecular layer-by-layer synthesis1 has shown great promise in controlling the thickness and homogeneity of thin films grown at the solid-liquid interface.2,3 Controlling the number of layers linearly controls the film thickness. The l-b-l method has been successfully used to fabricate surface mounted metal organic frameworks (SURMOFs),4-7 also the synthesis of thin polymer films via l-b-l reaction of polymer chains was demonstrated.8 The challenge (b) concerns the handling of these ultra-thin membranes. To avoid rupture or wrinkling of the nanomembranes sacrificial supports of coatings have shown great promise. 9
Here we will present a detailed protocol for synthesis of conjugated microporous polymer (CMP)10-13 thin films through sequential addition of the molecular building blocks, with desired thickness and composition. The preparation of free-standing CMP nanomembranes is achieved by using a sacrificial support. To handle and transfer the CMP nanomembranes to other supports we will describe a simple protocol to protect the membranes with sacrificial coatings and their upfloating to the liquid air interface and subsequent transfer using dip-coating.

<table>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Acetone</td>
			<td>VWR BDH Prolabo</td>
			<td>20066.330</td>
			<td>AnalR NORMAPUR</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Potassium iodide</td>
			<td>VWR BDH Prolabo</td>
			<td>26846.292</td>
			<td>AnalR NORMAPUR</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ethyl acetate</td>
			<td>VWR BDH Prolabo</td>
			<td>23882.321</td>
			<td>AnalR NORMAPUR</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tetrahydrofurane (THF)</td>
			<td>VWR BDH Prolabo</td>
			<td>28559.320</td>
			<td>HiPerSolv CHROMANORM</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>THF waterfree</td>
			<td>Merck Millipore</td>
			<td>1.08107.1001</td>
			<td>SeccoSolv</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Iodine</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>20,777-2</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tetrakis(acetonitrile)copper(I)hexafluoro-phosphate</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>346276-5G</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Poly(methyl methacrylate) 996 kDa (PMMA)</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>182265-25G</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>1.1.1.1 Methanetetrayltetrakis(4-azidobenzene) (TPM-azide)</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>provided by AK Prof. Br&#228;se. Institute of organic chemistry, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. Synthesized according to9</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>1.1.1.1 Methanetetrayltetrakis(4-ethinylenebenzene) (TPM-alkyne)</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>provided by AK Prof. Br&#228;se. Institute of organic chemistry, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. Synthesized according to9</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>11-thioacetyl-undecaneacid propargylamide</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>provided by AK Prof. Br&#228;se. Institute of organic chemistry, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. Synthesized according to8</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>gold/titan coated silicium-wafer</td>
			<td>Georg Albert PVD, 76857 Silz, Germany</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>gold coated mica</td>
			<td>Georg Albert PVD, 76857 Silz, Germany</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

layer-by-layer synthesis and transfer of freestanding conjugated microporous polymer nanomembranes

CMP as large surface area materials have attracted growing interest recently, due to their high variability in the incorporation of functional groups in combination with their outstanding thermal and chemical stability, and low densities. However, their insoluble nature causes problems in their processing since usually applied techniques such as spin coating are not available. Especially for membrane applications, where the processing of CMP as thin films is desirable, the processing problems have hindered their commercial application.
Here we describe the interfacial synthesis of CMP thin films on functionalized substrates via molecular layer-by-layer (l-b-l) synthesis. This process allows the preparation of films with desired thickness and composition and even desired composition gradients.
The use of sacrificial supports allows the preparation of freestanding membranes by dissolution of the support after the synthesis. To handle such ultra-thin freestanding membranes the protection with sacrificial coatings showed great promise, to avoid rupture of the nanomembranes. To transfer the nanomembranes to the desired substrate, the coated membranes are upfloated at the air-liquid interface and then transferred via dip coating.

The membranes are characterized by infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS).16 Figure 4 shows IRRA-spectra from a CMP-membrane transferred to a gold wafer. Typical bands from the vibrations of the aromatic backbone are at 1,605 cm-1, 1,515 cm-1 and 1,412 cm-1. Unreacted alkyne and azide groups can be observed by characteristic bands at 2,125 cm-1 and 1,227 cm-1. Figure 5 shows a scanning electron microscopy (SEM...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Layer-by-layer Synthesis and Transfer of Freestanding Conjugated Microporous Polymer Nanomembranes at JoVE.com

Layer-by-layer Synthesis and Transfer of Freestanding Conjugated Microporous Polymer Nanomembranes

In this paper we describe the interfacial synthesis of conjugated microporous polymers (CMP) on sacrificial substrates, and the dissolution of the substrate for the preparation of freestanding CMP nanomembranes. In addition, we will describe how the fragile nanomembranes can be transferred to other substrates.

CMP as large surface area materials have attracted growing interest recently, due to their high variability in the incorporation of functional groups in ...

layer-layer-synthesis-transfer-freestanding-conjugated-microporous

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9.3K Views.  Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. In this paper we describe the interfacial synthesis of conjugated microporous polymers (CMP) on sacrificial substrates, and the dissolution of the substrate for the preparation of freestanding CMP nanomembranes. In addition, we will describe how the fragile nanomembranes can be transferred to other substrates.

Video: Layer-by-layer Synthesis and Transfer of Freestanding Conjugated Microporous Polymer Nanomembranes

Confocal Imaging of Confined Quiescent and Flowing Colloid-polymer Mixtures

The behavior of confined colloidal suspensions with attractive interparticle interactions is critical to the rational design of materials for directed assembly1-3, drug delivery4, improved hydrocarbon recovery5-7, and flowable electrodes for energy storage8. Suspensions containing fluorescent colloids and non-adsorbing polymers are appealing model systems, as the ratio of the polymer radius of gyration to the particle radius&#160;and concentration of polymer control the range and strength of the interparticle attraction, respectively. By tuning the polymer properties and the volume fraction of the colloids, colloid fluids, fluids of clusters, gels, crystals, and glasses can be obtained9.&#160;Confocal microscopy, a variant of fluorescence microscopy, allows an optically transparent and fluorescent sample to be imaged with high spatial and temporal resolution in three dimensions. In this technique, a small pinhole or slit blocks the emitted fluorescent light from regions of the sample that are outside the focal volume of the microscope optical system. As a result, only a thin section of the sample in the focal plane is imaged. This technique is particularly well suited to probe the structure and dynamics in dense colloidal suspensions at the single-particle scale: the particles are large enough to be resolved using visible light and diffuse slowly enough to be captured at typical scan speeds of commercial confocal systems10. Improvements in scan speeds and analysis algorithms have also enabled quantitative confocal imaging of flowing suspensions11-16,37.&#160;In this paper, we demonstrate confocal microscopy experiments to probe the confined phase behavior and flow properties of colloid-polymer mixtures. We first prepare colloid-polymer mixtures that are density- and refractive-index matched. Next, we report a standard protocol for imaging quiescent dense colloid-polymer mixtures under varying confinement in thin wedge-shaped cells. Finally, we demonstrate a protocol for imaging colloid-polymer mixtures during microchannel flow.

Confocal microscopy is used to image quiescent and flowing colloid-polymer mixtures, which are studied as model systems for attractive suspensions. Image analysis algorithms are used to calculate structural and dynamic metrics for the colloidal particles that measure changes due to geometric confinement.

The behavior of confined colloidal suspensions with attractive interparticle interactions is critical to the rational design of materials for directed ...

Fabrication of Large-area Free-standing Ultrathin Polymer Films

This procedure describes a method for the fabrication of large-area and ultrathin free-standing polymer films. Typically, ultrathin films are prepared using either sacrificial layers, which may damage the film or affect its mechanical properties, or they are made on freshly cleaved mica, a substrate that is difficult to scale. Further, the size of ultrathin film is typically limited to a few square millimeters. In this method, we modify a surface with a polyelectrolyte that alters the strength of adhesion between polymer and deposition substrate. The polyelectrolyte can be shown to remain on the wafer using spectroscopy, and a treated wafer can be used to produce multiple films, indicating that at best minimal amounts of the polyelectrolyte are added to the film. The process has thus far been shown to be limited in scalability only by the size of the coating equipment, and is expected to be readily scalable to industrial processes. In this study, the protocol for making the solutions, preparing the deposition surface, and producing the films is described.

We describe a method for the fabrication of large-area (up to 13 cm diameter) and ultrathin (as thin as 8 nm) polymer films. Instead of using a sacrificial interlayer to delaminate the film from its substrate, we use a self-limiting surface treatment suitable for arbitrarily large areas.

This procedure describes a method for the fabrication of large-area and ultrathin free-standing polymer films.  Typically, ultrathin films are prepared ...

Preparation of Highly Porous Coordination Polymer Coatings on Macroporous Polymer Monoliths for Enhanced Enrichment of Phosphopeptides

We describe a protocol for the preparation of hybrid materials based on highly porous coordination polymer coatings on the internal surface of macroporous polymer monoliths. The developed approach is based on the preparation of a macroporous polymer containing carboxylic acid functional groups and the subsequent step-by-step solution-based controlled growth of a layer of a porous coordination polymer on the surface of the pores of the polymer monolith. The prepared metal-organic polymer hybrid has a high specific micropore surface area. The amount of iron(III) sites is enhanced through metal-organic coordination on the surface of the pores of the functional polymer support. The increase of metal sites is related to the number of iterations of the coating process.
The developed preparation scheme is easily adapted to a capillary column format. The functional porous polymer is prepared as a self-contained single-block porous monolith within the capillary, yielding a flow-through separation device with excellent flow permeability and modest back-pressure. The metal-organic polymer hybrid column showed excellent performance for the enrichment of phosphopeptides from digested proteins and their subsequent detection using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The presented experimental protocol is highly versatile, and can be easily implemented to different organic polymer supports and coatings with a plethora of porous coordination polymers and metal-organic frameworks for multiple purification and/or separation applications.

A procedure for the preparation of porous hybrid separation media composed of a macroporous polymer monolith internally coated by a high surface area microporous coordination polymer is presented.

We describe a protocol for the preparation of hybrid materials based on highly porous coordination polymer coatings on the internal surface of macroporous ...

Photodynamic Therapy with Blended Conducting Polymer/Fullerene Nanoparticle Photosensitizers

In this article a method for the fabrication and reproducible in-vitro evaluation of conducting polymer nanoparticles blended with fullerene as the next generation photosensitizers for Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is reported. The nanoparticles are formed by hydrophobic interaction of the semiconducting polymer MEH-PPV (poly[2-methoxy-5-(2-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene]) with the fullerene PCBM (phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester) in the presence of a non-compatible solvent. MEH-PPV has a high extinction coefficient that leads to high rates of triplet formation, and efficient charge and energy transfer to the fullerene PCBM. The latter processes enhance the efficiency of the PDT system through fullerene assisted triplet and radical formation, and ultrafast deactivation of MEH-PPV excited stated. The results reported here show that this nanoparticle PDT sensitizing system is highly effective and shows unexpected specificity to cancer cell lines.

This protocol describes a method for the fabrication of conducting polymer nanoparticles blended with fullerene. These nanoparticles were investigated for their potential use as a next generation photosensitizers for Photodynamic Therapy (PDT).

In this article a method for the fabrication and reproducible in-vitro evaluation of conducting polymer nanoparticles blended with fullerene as the next ...

The Preparation and Properties of Thermo-reversibly Cross-linked Rubber Via Diels-Alder Chemistry

A method for using Diels Alder thermo-reversible chemistry as cross-linking tool for rubber products is demonstrated. In this work, a commercial ethylene-propylene rubber, grafted with maleic anhydride, is thermo-reversibly cross-linked in two steps. The pending anhydride moieties are first modified with furfurylamine to graft furan groups to the rubber backbone. These pendant furan groups are then cross-linked with a bis-maleimide via a Diels-Alder coupling reaction. Both reactions can be performed under a broad range of experimental conditions and can easily be applied on a large scale. The material properties of the resulting Diels-Alder cross-linked rubbers are similar to a peroxide-cured ethylene/propylene/diene rubber (EPDM) reference. The cross-links break at elevated temperatures (&#62; 150 &#176;C) via the retro-Diels-Alder reaction and can be reformed by thermal annealing at lower temperatures (50-70 &#176;C). Reversibility of the system was proven with infrared spectroscopy, solubility tests and mechanical properties. Recyclability of the material was also shown in a practical way, i.e., by cutting a cross-linked sample into small parts and compression molding them into new samples displaying comparable mechanical properties, which is not possible for conventionally cross-linked rubbers.

A simple two-step approach involving rubber modification and cross-linking yields fully reworkable, elastic rubber products.

A method for using Diels Alder thermo-reversible chemistry as cross-linking tool for rubber products is demonstrated. In this work, a commercial ...

Monitoring the Effects of Illumination on the Structure of Conjugated Polymer Gels Using Neutron Scattering

We demonstrate a protocol to effectively monitor the gelation process of a high concentration solution of conjugated polymer both in the presence and absence of white light exposure. By instituting a controlled temperature ramp, the gelation of these materials can be precisely monitored as they proceed through this structural evolution, which effectively mirrors the conditions experienced during the solution deposition phase of organic electronic device fabrication. Using small angle neutron scattering (SANS) and ultra-small angle neutron scattering (USANS) along with appropriate fitting protocols we quantify the evolution of select structural parameters throughout this process. Thorough analysis indicates that continued light exposure throughout the gelation process significantly alters the structure of the ultimately formed gel. Specifically, the aggregation process of poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT) nano-scale aggregates is negatively affected by the presence of illumination, ultimately resulting in the retardation of growth in conjugated polymer microstructures and the formation of smaller scale macro-aggregate clusters.

A protocol for the analysis of gels formed from the optoelectronic conjugated polymer poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT) using small and ultra-small angle neutron scattering in both the presence and absence of illumination is presented.

We demonstrate a protocol to effectively monitor the gelation process of a high concentration solution of conjugated polymer both in the presence and ...

Microfluidic Dry-spinning and Characterization of Regenerated Silk Fibroin Fibers

The protocol demonstrates a method for mimicking the spinning process of silkworm. In the native spinning process, the contracting spinning duct enables the silk proteins to be compact and ordered by shearing and elongation forces. Here, a biomimetic microfluidic channel was designed to mimic the specific geometry of the spinning duct of the silkworm. Regenerated silk fibroin (RSF) spinning doped with high concentration, was extruded through the microchannel to dry-spin fibers at ambient temperature and pressure. In the post-treated process, the as-spun fibers were drawn and stored in ethanol aqueous solution. Synchrotron radiation wide-angle X-ray diffraction (SR-WAXD) technology was used to investigate the microstructure of single RSF fibers, which were fixed to a sample holder with the RSF fiber axis normal to the microbeam of the X-ray. The crystallinity, crystallite size, and crystalline orientation of the fiber were calculated from the WAXD data. The diffraction arcs near the equator of the two-dimensional WAXD pattern indicate that the post-treated RSF fiber has a high orientation degree.

A protocol for the microfluidic spinning and microstructure characterization of regenerated silk fibroin monofilament is presented.

The protocol demonstrates a method for mimicking the spinning process of silkworm. In the native spinning process, the contracting spinning duct enables ...

Time-resolved Photophysical Characterization of Triplet-harvesting Organic Compounds at an Oxygen-free Environment Using an iCCD Camera

Here, we present a sensible method of the acquisition and analysis of time-resolved photoluminescence using an ultrafast iCCD camera. This system enables the acquisition of photoluminescence spectra covering the time regime from nanoseconds up to 0.1 s. This enables us to follow the changes in the intensity (decay) and emission of the spectra over time. Using this method, it is possible to study diverse photophysical phenomena, such as the emission of phosphorescence, and the contributions of prompt and delayed fluorescence in molecules showing thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF). Remarkably, all spectra and decays are obtained in a single experiment. This can be done for solids (thin film, powder, crystal) and liquid samples, where the only limitations are the spectral sensitivity of the camera and the excitation wavelength (532 nm, 355 nm, 337 nm, and 266 nm). This technique is, thus, very important when investigating the excited state dynamics in organic emitters for their application in organic light-emitting diodes and other areas where triplet harvesting is of paramount importance. Since triplet states are strongly quenched by oxygen, emitters with efficient TADF luminescence, or those showing room temperature phosphorescence (RTP), must be correctly prepared in order to remove any dissolved oxygen from solutions and films. Otherwise, no long-lived emission will be observed. The method of degassing solid samples as presented in this work is basic and simple, but the degassing of liquid samples creates additional difficulties and is particularly interesting. A method of minimizing solvent loss and changing the sample concentration, while still enabling to remove oxygen in a very efficient and a repeatable manner, is presented in this work.

Here, we present a method of the spectroscopic characterization of organic molecules by means of time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy on the nanosecond-to-millisecond timescale in oxygen-free conditions. Methods to efficiently remove oxygen from the samples and, thus, limit luminescence quenching are also described.

Here, we present a sensible method of the acquisition and analysis of time-resolved photoluminescence using an ultrafast iCCD camera. This system enables ...

Raman and IR Spectroelectrochemical Methods as Tools to Analyze Conjugated Organic Compounds

In the presented work, two spectroelectrochemical techniques are discussed as tools for the analysis of the structural changes occurring in the molecule on the vibrational level of energy. Raman and IR spectroelectrochemistry can be used for advanced characterization of the structural changes in the organic electroactive compounds. Here, the step-by-step analysis by means of Raman and IR spectroelectrochemistry is shown. Raman and IR spectroelectrochemical techniques provide complementary information about structural changes occurring during an electrochemical process, i.e. allows for the investigation of redox processes and their products. The examples of IR and Raman spectroelectrochemical analysis are presented, in which the products of the redox reactions, both in solution and solid state, are identified.

A protocol of step-by-step Raman and IR spectroelectrochemical analysis is presented.

In the presented work, two spectroelectrochemical techniques are discussed as tools for the analysis of the structural changes occurring in the molecule ...

Reactive Vapor Deposition of Conjugated Polymer Films on Arbitrary Substrates

We demonstrate a method of conformally coating conjugated polymers on arbitrary substrates using a custom-designed, low-pressure reaction chamber. Conductive polymers, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) and poly(3,4-propylenedioxythiophene) (PProDOT), and a semiconducting polymer, poly(thieno[3,2-b]thiophene) (PTT), were deposited on unconventional highly-disordered and textured substrates with high surface areas, such as paper, towels and fabrics. This reported deposition chamber is an improvement of previous vapor reactors because our system can accommodate both volatile and nonvolatile monomers, such as 3,4-propylenedioxythiophene and thieno[3,2-b]thiophene. Utilization of both solid and liquid oxidants are also demonstrated. One limitation of this method is that it lacks sophisticated in situ thickness monitors. Polymer coatings made by the commonly used solution-based coating methods, such as spin-coating and surface grafting, are often not uniform or susceptible to mechanical degradation. This reported vapor phase deposition method overcomes those drawbacks and is a strong alternative to common solution-based coating methods. Notably, polymer films coated by the reported method are uniform and conformal on rough surfaces, even at a micrometer scale. This feature allows for future application of vapor deposited polymers in electronics devices on flexible and highly textured substrates.

This paper presents a protocol for reactive vapor deposition of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), poly(3,4-propylenedioxythiophene), and poly(thieno[3,2-b]thiophene) films on glass slides and rough substrates, such as textiles and paper.