Sol-gel coating process using spin-coating

         The sol-gel method by spin coating

                    What is the sol-gel process?

The sol-gel process is a wet-chemical method used to make solid materials from small molecules. Sol-gel coating is a way to create  e.g. single- or multicomponent oxide coatings on glass or metals. Special feature of the sol-gel method is that the production or deposition of materials in each case starts from a liquid sol state, which is converted by a sol-gel transformation into a solid gel state. For sol dispersions solid particles in the size range between 1 nm to 100 nm are distributed finely (dispersed) in water or organic solvents. The transition from the liquid sol to a ceramic layer is made via a gel state. During the sol-gel transformation, there is a 3-dimensional cross-linking of nanoparticles in the solvent, whereby the gel is replaced by solid state properties. The conversion of the gel into an oxide-ceramic material is carried out by a controlled heat treatment under air.

                    Can you use the sol-gel process to control the thickness of a thin polymer layer?

To control the thickness of a thin polymer film, the sol-gel spin coating method can be used. The polymer isdissolved or dispersed into a solvent, and this sol is then dropped onto the surface and spun off to leave a uniform layer.

                    A few sol-gel drops @ 3,000 rpm for 30 sec already creates a nice thin film. Special chucks are available for various                     substrates, for use with or without vacuum. The SPIN150i and SPIN200i are suitable for all of these methods and we                     learn of new applications every day.

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