Fabrication, Characterization, and Industrial Viability of Sustainable Thin Films and Coatings Derived from Aluminum Based Nanoclusters
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Date
2021-09-13
Authors
Levine, Jordan
Journal Title
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Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
Inorganic metal oxides are extremely versatile materials that make up many components of modern technology. In order to keep up with increasing demand, microelectronics industries have optimized their fabrication techniques to produce pristine high-quality metal oxide films at high through-puts. While the resulting materials have underpinned current technological advances, it has come at a huge energetic and environmental price. The fabrication of these materials from traditional vapor deposition techniques requires high processing temperatures, vacuum conditions, as well as the use of toxic precursors. These processing conditions are detrimental to the environment and as technology continues to define modern day society, and without any remediation, the ecological and environmental impacts of will continue to compound. Solution processing of metal oxides provides a significantly greener and environmentally friendly approach to the production of metal oxide films and coatings. In this method, films can be fabricated using significantly less processing energy, less toxic precursors, and environmentally benign solvents. Additionally, the ability to solution deposit allows for an extremely scalable and versatile process that industry can easily adapt to suit their desired application, all while using inexpensive starting materials.
This dissertation will detail the exploration of a novel solution deposition precursor, display the development of a scalable coating process tailored for industry, and demonstrate the potential environmental impact of solution processing in the textiles space. Chapter I begins by highlighting the ubiquity of metal oxides, the challenges with their current fabrication methods, and the sustainability benefits that solution processing of metal oxides provides. Chapter II explores the viability of a novel solution deposited precursor used to produce high-quality mixed-metal oxide films. Chapters III and IV highlight the environmental and scalability benefits that solution deposited Al2O3 films have to offer. Chapter V will detail the non-destructive characterization technique of innovative nanomaterials. Chapter VI will frame all of this work in the context of sustainability and the production of the next generation of metal oxide films. This thesis contains previously published and unpublished co-authored material.
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Keywords
aluminum oxide, nano cluster, Sustainability, water repellent