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research article

A Method to Form Smooth Films of Liquid Metal Supported by Elastomeric Substrate

Hirsch, Arthur  
•
Lacour, Stephanie P.  
October 1, 2018
Advanced Science

Several methods are proposed to manipulate and pattern liquid metal films into elastic conductors but all lack precise control over the film thickness and roughness, thereby limiting its uniformity, stability, and reproducibility. Here, an approach relying solely on wetting phenomena is proposed to produce smooth film of liquid gallium (Ga) on extended surface areas with controlled thickness and electrical properties. The surface chemistry and topography of silicone rubber (poly(dimethylsiloxane)) is engineered with microstructured pillars and gold precoating layer to produce Ga superlyophilic substrates. Physical vapor deposition of Ga on such substrates leads to the formation of smooth and homogeneous films by imbibition of the surface topography rather than coalescence and formation of Ga drops. By capillarity, Ga accumulates in between the pillars up to their top surface, forming a smooth film with a root mean square roughness (Rq) smaller than 100 nm. The wetting conditions and electromechanical properties of the resulting films are compared based on the selection of the microtexture patterns and a model of the film sheet resistance as a function of the texture geometrical parameters is established.

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Type
research article
DOI
10.1002/advs.201800256
Web of Science ID

WOS:000447632000001

Author(s)
Hirsch, Arthur  
Lacour, Stephanie P.  
Date Issued

2018-10-01

Published in
Advanced Science
Volume

5

Issue

10

Article Number

1800256

Subjects

Chemistry, Multidisciplinary

•

Nanoscience & Nanotechnology

•

Materials Science, Multidisciplinary

•

Chemistry

•

Science & Technology - Other Topics

•

Materials Science

•

elasticity

•

elastomers

•

electrical conductivity

•

liquid metals

•

micropatterning

•

thin metal films

•

surface-tension

•

gallium

Note

This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License

Editorial or Peer reviewed

REVIEWED

Written at

EPFL

EPFL units
LSBI  
Available on Infoscience
December 13, 2018
Use this identifier to reference this record
https://infoscience.epfl.ch/handle/20.500.14299/152883
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