Aerosol deposition for fuel filtration
A processing technique for the deposition of thin and super thin polymer films on substrates could provide a more 'cost-effective' coating method for fuel filtration systems in automotives and aircraft, say researchers at Nottingham University in the UK.
The method which produces films with a thickness of >100nm, is based on a non-vacuum technique, aerosol assisted ion deposition (AAID), where precise evaporation control of the charged aerosol is used to create an ‘inert and uniform’ polymeric film layer on a substrate or component.
Lead researcher, Professor Kwang-Leong Choy explains, ‘Other methods involving vacuum deposition such as evaporation, sputtering and plasma polymerisation can produce thin/super-thin films. However, the use of expensive vacuum technology and/or expensive starting materials makes them costly, problematic and less commercially viable for such applications’.
Another area of concern is that existing low-cost wet chemical routes, such as dip coating and spraying for the deposition of thin films onto fuel filters, tend to produce films that are too thick.
Choy argues AAID has the ability to produce films with well-controlled structure and thickness as pore sizes can be controlled in the surface area to produce single or multilayer films in the process.
Moreover, she says that eliminating a vacuum function means the technology can be used at low temperatures, minimising the impairment of substrate properties.
According to Choy, the technique can create organic-inorganic hybrid films, doped and nano-composite films, as either dense or porous films, and can also be adapted for use on metal, ceramic, glass, plastic, textile or paper in 2D and 3D.
The team also see potential for this process to produce films for organic light emitting diode displays, chemical sensors, photovoltaics, tissue engineering, biomedical applications, speciality packaging and security components within credit cards and passports.
However, ‘precursors and conditions of the material will need to be assessed first,’ she adds.
Although the technology is at national patent stage, further research is still to be conducted to determine its versatility for other filteration markets, including oil and gas, and power generation.
Coating expert and Managing Director at Monitor Coatings, UK, Dr Bryan Allcock says, ‘This work is of significant commercial and technical importance. The challenge of depositing such films to exacting standards demanded by the aerospace industry, medical and high-end technology sectors is formidable, and I would be very anxious to see a low cost method that meets both quality and safety standards also.
The multitude of commercial applications for such a coating system sounds promising.’
The team is now seeking industrial partners to tailor the process for specific industrial applications and commercialisation.Materials World Magazine, 01 Aug 2010
The method which produces films with a thickness of >100nm, is based on a non-vacuum technique, aerosol assisted ion deposition (AAID), where precise evaporation control of the charged aerosol is used to create an ‘inert and uniform’ polymeric film layer on a substrate or component.
Lead researcher, Professor Kwang-Leong Choy explains, ‘Other methods involving vacuum deposition such as evaporation, sputtering and plasma polymerisation can produce thin/super-thin films. However, the use of expensive vacuum technology and/or expensive starting materials makes them costly, problematic and less commercially viable for such applications’.
Another area of concern is that existing low-cost wet chemical routes, such as dip coating and spraying for the deposition of thin films onto fuel filters, tend to produce films that are too thick.
Choy argues AAID has the ability to produce films with well-controlled structure and thickness as pore sizes can be controlled in the surface area to produce single or multilayer films in the process.
Moreover, she says that eliminating a vacuum function means the technology can be used at low temperatures, minimising the impairment of substrate properties.
According to Choy, the technique can create organic-inorganic hybrid films, doped and nano-composite films, as either dense or porous films, and can also be adapted for use on metal, ceramic, glass, plastic, textile or paper in 2D and 3D.
The team also see potential for this process to produce films for organic light emitting diode displays, chemical sensors, photovoltaics, tissue engineering, biomedical applications, speciality packaging and security components within credit cards and passports.
However, ‘precursors and conditions of the material will need to be assessed first,’ she adds.
Although the technology is at national patent stage, further research is still to be conducted to determine its versatility for other filteration markets, including oil and gas, and power generation.
Coating expert and Managing Director at Monitor Coatings, UK, Dr Bryan Allcock says, ‘This work is of significant commercial and technical importance. The challenge of depositing such films to exacting standards demanded by the aerospace industry, medical and high-end technology sectors is formidable, and I would be very anxious to see a low cost method that meets both quality and safety standards also.
The multitude of commercial applications for such a coating system sounds promising.’
The team is now seeking industrial partners to tailor the process for specific industrial applications and commercialisation.Materials World Magazine, 01 Aug 2010
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