Basic Substrate Considerations
1. Substrates can be made from a variety of materials depending on what the film will be used for. Common substrate material include:
Some examples are shown in Figure 7. 2. Substrates must be clean before use. Besides washing with common solvents, consider using a sonicator bath and/or UV ozone cleaner. ⚠Warning: Many solvents are toxic, and their use requires safety goggles, long pants, and closed toe shoes. Always consult an MSDS for more information about hazardous materials. ⚠ 3. Substrates do not need to be round, completely symmetrical, or transparent. However, substrates should always be centered so that the solution can spread as evenly as possible. Advanced Substrate Considerations 1. The substrate used can affect film properties in some cases. For example, all else the same, the substrate could affect film thickness. 2. Substrates with patterns etched into them can be more difficult to spin coat consistently. Carefully study literature in order to perfect technique. 3. In order to achieve more ordered films, it may be necessary to heat the film after spin coating. Consider the melting point of the substrate material so that any heat applied does not melt or damage the substrate. |