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Comparing sintering and atomic layer deposition as methods to mechanically reinforce nanocolloidal crystals

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 December 2015

Di Zhang ,
Yue Xu ,
Gang Feng ,
Yun-Ru Huang  and
Daeyeon Lee
Di Zhang
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania 19085, USA
Yue Xu
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania 19085, USA
Gang Feng*
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania 19085, USA
Yun-Ru Huang
Affiliation:
Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
Daeyeon Lee
Affiliation:
Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
*
a)Address all correspondence to this author. e-mail: gang.feng@villanova.edu
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Abstract

Nanocolloidal crystals (NCCs) have promising applications in optical and photonic devices. However, it is critical to mechanically reinforce NCCs for device reliability, since as-synthesized NCCs are fragile due to weak interparticle bonding. Thermal sintering is currently the most common reinforcement technique; however, this method could induce serious cracking and is not suitable for temperature-sensitive materials. In this study, by characterizing silica NCCs reinforced through sintering and alumina atomic layer deposition (ALD), we find that the ALD treatment is much more effective for hardening, stiffening, and more importantly toughening NCCs. Thermally sintered NCCs are prone to indentation-induced cracking due to large residual tensile stress, significantly impairing the toughness. In contrast, the ALD treatment toughens NCCs by much over 300%. Our finding provides insights for reinforcing and toughening various nanoparticle-based and nanoporous materials.

Keywords

atomic layer depositionsinteringnanostructur
Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Materials Research , Volume 30 , Issue 23 , 14 December 2015 , pp. 3717 - 3727
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2015 

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