Processing and characterization of ultrathin carbon coatings on glass

Hoikwan Lee, Ramakrishnan Rajagopalan, Joshua Robinson, Carlo G. Pantano

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

Ultrathin carbon layers, on the order of 3-6 nm in thickness, were formed on glass substrates by spin coating and pyrolysis of polymer precursors. The organic precursors used were poly(furfuryl alcohol), coal tar pitch, and a photoresist. The carbon coatings were characterized by ellipsometry, optical profilometry, water contact angle, confocal Raman spectroscopy, UV-vis spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy. We also report the transparency, hydrophobicity, friction, weathering resistance, and electrical conductivity of the carbon-coated glass. The results reveal that up to 97% transparent, ultrathin carbon films could be formed on glass substrates with a root-mean-square roughness of less than ∼0.3 nm. This carbon layer modified the otherwise hydrophilic surface of the glass to yield a water contact angle of 85°. The coatings were also found to provide a water barrier against weathering under hot and humid conditions. A 4.5-nm-thick carbon film on glass had a sheet resistance of 55.6 kδ m and a conductivity of 40 S/cm.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)927-933
Number of pages7
JournalACS Applied Materials and Interfaces
Volume1
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 29 2009

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Materials Science

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