Thin-Film Conductive Polymer Synthesis, Processing, and Characterization
This project aims to improve the synthesis, processing, and characterization of thin-film conductive polymers made via CVD for applications like batteries and thermoelectrics.
This grant is no longer accepting proposals
NRC Research Associateship Programs has archived this opportunity.
Funder: NRC Research Associateship Programs
Due Dates: May 1, 2025 | August 1, 2025 | November 1, 2025 | February 1, 2026
Funding Amounts: Typical stipend approximately $99,200 per year; awards generally 1 year with possible renewals up to 3 years.
Summary: Supports postdoctoral and early career researchers to conduct innovative research on thin-film conductive polymers synthesized via chemical vapor deposition at the Naval Research Laboratory.
Key Information: U.S. citizenship or permanent residency required; applicants must have a doctoral degree; must contact Research Adviser prior to applying.
Description
This fellowship opportunity focuses on advancing the synthesis, processing, and characterization of thin-film conductive polymers prepared by initiated and oxidative chemical vapor deposition (iCVD/oCVD). These vapor-deposited polymers, with thicknesses ranging from 10 nm to 1 µm, are conformal and pinhole-free on diverse substrates, including non-traditional materials like textiles. Applications include anti-biofouling coatings, solar photovoltaics, flexible thermoelectrics, and battery separator materials.
The research aims to address the current knowledge gaps in the structure–processing–property relationships of CVD polymers, which remain poorly understood compared to traditional polymerization methods. Challenges include the insolubility and crosslinked nature of many CVD polymers, anisotropy dependent on substrate and growth conditions, unique polymerization kinetics, and limited material volume restricting characterization techniques.
Key research questions include:
- Feasibility of controlled or "living" CVD polymerization.
- Strategies to convert typical iCVD/oCVD processes into controlled polymerizations.
- Development of improved initiators or oxidants to enhance deposition rates and reduce monomer loss.
- Understanding the role of post-deposition annealing in film anisotropy.
- Generation and tunability of compositionally-graded thin films via comonomer feed rate modulation.
The overarching goals are to deepen understanding and control of polymer CVD processes and to leverage these methods to create functional, conformal polymer films for applications difficult to achieve with traditional polymerization or deposition techniques.
This research is conducted at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) under the NRC Research Associateship Programs, providing access to state-of-the-art facilities and mentorship.
