Mater. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc. Vol. 1209 © 2010 Materials Research Society
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`1209-P02-05
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`Surfaces Matter
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`Eric L. Bruner
`Edward Hughes
`Aculon, Inc
`11839 Sorrento Valley Road
`San Diego, CA 92121
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`ABSTRACT
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`Aculon, Inc. specializes in inventing and commercializing unique molecular-scale surface and
`interfacial coatings leveraging nanotechnology discoveries made at Princeton University. These
`coatings can be classified into three functional areas; non-stick, pro-stick/adhesion, and anti-
`corrosion.
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`The company has formulated coating solutions and processes for numerous markets including
`optical, display, electronics, consumer products and industrial coatings. These specialized
`coatings outperform all known alternatives in characteristics such as adhesion, stain resistance,
`and scratch resistance.
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`Fueling the company’s commercialization efforts are its proprietary Self-Assembled Monolayer
`of Phosphonates (SAMP) technology. The commercialization of SAMP treatments can be used
`for a variety of applications including imparting hydrophobicity, adhesion, or corrosion
`inhibition to numerous substrates.
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`For surface treatments to be effective, they must be mechanically and chemically stable under
`conditions experienced in the intended area of use. Aculon’s proprietary Self-Assembled
`Monolayer of Phosphonates methodology can impart any of these properties as desired to metals,
`metal oxides and even some polymer surfaces by drawing on its library of structurally tailored
`phosphonic acids.
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`The secret to the commercialization is covalent bonding, which creates a uniquely strong
`attachment between the SAMP and the substrate. Because the SAMP is one approximately 1.5
`nm thick, it completely covers the material to which it is applied, and assures total surface
`coverage regardless of the type or texture of that material. The composition of the SAMP
`determines the properties that it imparts to its substrate.
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`In 1998, Professor Jeffery Schwartz of Princeton University discovered that well-ordered
`monolayers of phosphonates could be formed by self-assembly on a wide variety of oxide and
`oxide-terminated surfaces. At that time Professor Schwartz and his team also discovered that a
`simple dip process enabled SAMP formation on substrates of complex structures and geometries,
`as well as traditionally “unreactive” surfaces.
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`The research showed that SAMP adhesion to oxides was mechanically strong and resisted
`removal by hydrolysis and oxidation. It showed further that by using the dip method, SAMPs of
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`a variety of molecular structures, including aliphatic, aromatic, and heteroaromatic, could be
`prepared.
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`Commercialization of SAMPs proves that such surface-bound phosphonates can dictate control
`of the surface properties of myriad substrates and that they can be implemented using well-
`known industrial techniques and conditions. These processes can be scaled to meet the needs of
`large or small facilities, and can be applied to surfaces of nearly any size or shape without special
`needs. Based on the needs of the producer, surface modification can be completed during the
`time of manufacturing or can be performed as a post-production step.
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`INTRODUCTION
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`Aculon commercializes unique surface and interfacial coating materials that leverage
`nanotechnology discoveries made at Princeton University and at Aculon. These coatings can be
`classified into three functional areas:
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`Non-stick coatings (nano-scale “Teflon”)
`Pro-stick/adhesion coatings (nano-scale “Velcro”)
`Anti-oxidation coating
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`Aculon has formulated coating solutions and processes for numerous markets including optical,
`display, electronics, consumer products, and industrial coatings.
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`THEORY
`Aculon’s proprietary “self-assembled monolayer of phosphonates (SAMP)” methodology can
`coat surfaces to impart hydrophobicity, adhesion, or corrosion inhibition.
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`DISCUSSION
`A monolayer is a nanoscale coating that is one molecule thick or 1-4 nanometers in thickness
`(1nm = 1x10-9 meters). A phosphonate is a phosphorous acid that combines a reactive
`phosphonic acid or “reactive head group” and a carbon based tail group connected through a
`stable phosphorous carbon bond (P-C). The reactive “heads” react with the surface through
`strong and stable metal phosphorous bonds, and the tails stick out from the surface and are
`chosen for their chemical functionality (non-stick, pro-stick, etc.). The SAMP is covalently
`bound to the substrate surface. This permanent chemical bond is highly stable under ambient
`conditions.
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`SAMPs can coat metals, metal oxides, glass, ceramics, particles, semiconductors, and even some
`polymer surfaces by drawing on its library of structurally tailored phosphonic acids.
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`What are the key benefits of the technology?
`• Functional Effects. Aculon’s surface and interfacial treatments can transform ordinary
`materials into “next-generation” products by imparting designed properties on the
`nanoscale. Aculon’s treatments can add functionality such as adhesion or repellency on
`many different polymers or materials
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`• Permanence and robustness: Aculon’s surface treatments are covalently bound to the
`substrate surface. This permanent chemical bond is highly stable under ambient
`conditions. Stronger and more durable than existing coating chemistries
`• Nanoscale treatment. Due to its nanometer scale, Aculon’s surface treatment does not
`interfere with desired mechanical surface features that may be critical to the function or
`appearance. The treatment does not change the texture or appearance of the surface in
`any way
`• Economical use of materials (approx. 1 nmol/cm2), and easy to apply through wet coating
`methods such as dip-coating, spraying, printing, gravure rods, and stamping.
`• Platform Technology: Broad range of substrates can be coated (metals, semiconductors,
`glass, ceramics, polymers)
`• Non-leaching. Aculon’s surface treatment does not leach from its material host so there
`is no undesirable secondary result
`• Safety: Pre-clinical studies have shown no adverse effects whatsoever from the surface
`treatment.
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`How is the technology applied?
`• Easy-to apply using existing industrial processes and by the consumer (ex. sprayed,
`dipped, ink-jet printing, roll coating/gravure rod, stamping)
`• Solution based (either aqueous or solvent), *vacuum deposition can be used in some
`cases if required
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`SUBSTANCES
`Metals - Aculon’s non-stick coatings (nano-scale “Teflon”), pro-stick/adhesion coatings (nano-
`scale “Velcro”), and anti-oxidation coatings can be used on a broad range of metals.
`Tin
`Titanium
`Copper
`Invar
`Tantalum
`Gold
`Silicon
`Tungsten
`Silver
`Zinc
`Stainless Steel
`Palladium
`Nickel
`Chrome
`Indium
`Aluminum
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`Polymers - Aculon’s surface and interfacial treatments can transform ordinary polymers into
`“next-generation” products by imparting designed properties on the nanoscale. Aculon’s
`treatments can add functionality such as adhesion or repellency on many different polymers such
`as:
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`Nylon
`Polyamides
`ABS
`Kevlar
`Polycarbonate
`Bismaleimide Triazine
`Aramid
`Oxide-Reinforced Polymers
`FR4
`Polyimides
`Polysiloxanes
`SU8
`Polyesters
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`Glass/Ceramics – Aculon’s treatments can add functionality such as adhesion or repellency on
`many different glass and ceramic surfaces.
`Window Glass
`Borosilicate Glass
`Porcelain
`Tile
`Marble
`Granite
`Brick
`Mortar
`Mirrors
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`Particles – Aculon’s surface and interfacial treatments can disperse nanoscale to microscale
`particles.
`Silica
`Titania
`Yttria
`Copper
`Tantalum
`Gold
`Silver
`Zinc
`Palladium
`Nickel
`Aluminum
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`Semiconductors – Aculon’s non-stick coatings (nano-scale “Teflon”), pro-stick/adhesion
`coatings (nano-scale “Velcro”), and anti-corrosion coatings can be used on a broad range of
`semiconductors. These semiconductors include:
`Silicon
`Gallium Arsenide
`Cadmium Sulfide
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`Aluminum Nitride
`Germanium
`Organic Semiconductors
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`Fabrics/Other – Aculon’s non-stick coatings (nano-scale “Teflon”) can be used on a broad range
`of fabrics:
`Cotton
`Wool
`Polyester
`Denim
`Rayon
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`MARKETS
`Optical:
`Aculon’s nanoscale Teflon technology creates a water-repellant (hydrophobic) and oil-repellant
`(oleophobic) surfaces to repel water, dust, oil, and dirt on optics. Coated sunglasses or
`prescription eyewear have significant improvement of their smudge repellency, and smudge
`removability. Glasses stay cleaner longer, and the coating helps make cleaning easy, resulting in
`clearer vision and easier maintenance.
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`Two products commercialized using Aculon’s technology are the Oakley Hydrophobic and
`Hilco, Inc Shield products.
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`Display:
`OEM and Consumer applied coatings have been developed for electronic displays. Cell phones,
`PDA, iPod, iPhone, laptops, and touch screens can be coated with Aculon’s permanent nanoscale
`easy-clean coating can be applied by the OEM on both glass and plastic screens. In addition, a
`temporary coating can be applied by the consumer using a felt-tip applicator.
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`Electronics:
`Aculon’s non-stick coatings and pro-stick/adhesion coatings, and anti-oxidation coatings can be
`used on a broad range of materials used in electronic applications as interfacial treatments of
`dissimilar materials are particularly important for performance and reliability in electronics.
`Applications include adhesion of low dielectric resins to copper for printed circuit boards and
`chip scale packaging, potential replacement of silver in conductive epoxies and printing
`conductive inks with anti oxidation treated copper, and superior bonding of both die attach
`adhesives and epoxy molding compounds to numerous types of leadframe materials.
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`Industrial & Consumer:
`Cleaning stainless steel surfaces is a laborious exercise, as fingerprints and smudges are often
`smeared rather than readily removed, and fingerprints often leave so-called ghost stains from
`localized oxidation reactions. Other consumer applications include: jewelry cleaners, wheel
`cleaner, fabric, and fishing flies.
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`Nanoparticles:
`Aculon has exclusively licensed patented technology from Princeton University for coating
`oxide surfaces, including metal oxide and yttria nanoparticles. This technology, along with other
`surface modification techniques, coating methods and materials developed at Aculon, serve as a
`platform on which nanoparticle surfaces can be tailored for a broad range of uses.
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`CONCLUSIONS
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`Surfaces play an important role in many applications including optical, display, electronics,
`industrial, consumer, and nanoparticles. Aculon’s development of materials and processes
`involving Self-Assembled Monolayer of Phosphonates (SAMPs) has lead to a new coatings
`platform with broad ranging capabilities for new functionally and enhanced chemical bonding.
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`REFERENCES
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` 1
`
` Gawalt, E. S.; Avaltroni, M. J.; Koch, N.; Schwartz, J. Langmuir 2001, 17, 5376-5738.
`2 Hanson, E. L.; Schwartz, J,; Nickel, B.; Koch, N.; Danisman, M. F., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2003,
`125, 16074-16080.
`3 Schwartz, J.; Avaltroni, M. J.; Danahy, M. P.; Silverman, B. M.; Hanson, E. L. ; Schwarzbauer,
`J. E.; Midwood, K.; Gawalt, E. S., Mat. Sci. Engr. C 2003, 23, 395-400.
`4 Silverman, B. M.; Wieghaus, K. A.; Schwartz, J. Langmuir, 2005, 21, 225-228.
`5 Hanson, E. L.; Guo, J.; Koch, N.; Schwartz, J.; Bernasek, S. L., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2005, 127,
`10058-10062.
`6 McDermott, J. E.; McDowell, M.; Hill, I. G.; Hwang, J.; Kahn, A.; Bernasek, S. L.; Schwartz,
`J. J. Phys. Chem. 2007, 111, 12333-12338.
`7 Shannon, F.; Cottrell, J. M.; Deng, X.-H.; Crowder, K. N.; Doty, S. B.; Avaltroni, M. J.;
`Warren, R. F.; Wright, T. M., Schwartz, J., J. Biomed. Mater. Res. A. 2008, 86A, 857-864.
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`TEFLON ® registered trademark of E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company or its affiliates.
`VELCRO® is a registered trademark of Velcro Industries B. V.
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