Abstract
Vapor deposition of polymers is known to result in densified thin films, and recent
developments have advanced these polymers with interesting fabrication techniques
to a variety of controlled structures other than thin films. With the advantages of
chemical modification and functionalization of these polymers, advancements have combined
both the physical and chemical properties of these vapor-deposited polymers to obtain
controlled anisotropic polymers, including layer-by-layer, gradient, hierarchical,
porosity, and the combination of the above, meaning that the produced polymers are
functional and are addressed in devised physical configurations and chemical compositions.
The main purpose of using polymer coatings as a tool for surface modification is to
provide additional properties that decouple the natural properties of the underlying
materials (including metals, polymers, oxides/ceramics, glass, silicon, etc.), and
recent advancements have rendered novel insights into combined physical and chemical
properties to fulfill the increasing needs of sophisticated requirements of materials
for users. The review herein intends to deliver messages of recent progress of the
advancements of vapor-deposited polymers, with discussions of the variations of the
physical structures and chemical functionalities, and how these two aspects are integrated
with novel fabrication techniques. The advanced vapor polymers now have the capability
of controlled anisotropy in the physical structure and chemical composition and are
expected to pave the way for interface engineering toward prospective material designs.
Table of content:
1. Introduction
2. Fabrication and Materials
3. Controls of Anisotropy
4. Applications
5. Conclusions and Outlook
Key words
vapor deposition - polymer coating - surface modification - surface structures - material
interfaces
