Abstract
By spreading the colloid solution of hydrophobic silica nano-particles on water surface, the self-assembled mono-particulate crystal film could be formed on the water surface. The mono-particulate film formed on the water surface can be easily transferred on the substrate. By adjusting the conditions, mono-particulate film formed on the water surface is subsequently and continuously transferred to a substrate. In the manufacturing process, high-speed and continuous formation is required. In this paper, we examined high-speed and continuous preparation of mono-particulate film on a substrate. The used samples are Stöber silica. The average diameter of silica particles used as the samples were ranged from 0.1 to 0.9µm. The silica particles were treated with alcohol or silane coupling agent to make its surface hydrophobic. Then, the colloid solutions of these silica particles were spread on the water surface. After the water surface was covered with the particle film entirely, the glass substrate which has already immersed into water was withdrawn at a constant speed. During the substrate withdrawing process the colloidal solution was continuously supplied on the water surface. Both the formation of particle film and the film transfer to the substrate were simultaneously taken place. The transferred particle films on the substrate were observed by using scanning electron microscope (SEM). The SEM observations revealed that hexagonal close-packed mono-particulate film was formed on the substrate.
