Modification and coating of polymer surfaces

Liquid phase deposition methods are a useful way to create mineral oxide films from aqueous solution under near-ambient conditions. These approaches have been applied to the creation of ceramic coatings oil polymers and on polymer-matrix composites. Control has been achieved over the adherence and crystallinity of the solution-deposited thin films based oil controlling the composition of both the deposition solution and the substrate surface. The challenge of depositing such films from water, while minimizing film cracking has also been addressed. Crack-free ceramic films of up to 200 nm thickness have been achieved on a variety of polymer substrates.