Polymer-Iron Oxide Hybrid Films for Controlling Electrokinetic Properties

Fuente: arXiv
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Autori principali: Dick, Austin, Tong, Xiao, Kisslinger, Kim, Colosqui, Carlos E., Doerk, Gregory
Natura: Preprint
Pubblicazione: 2026
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author Dick, Austin
Tong, Xiao
Kisslinger, Kim
Colosqui, Carlos E.
Doerk, Gregory
author_facet Dick, Austin
Tong, Xiao
Kisslinger, Kim
Colosqui, Carlos E.
Doerk, Gregory
contents Electrokinetic phenomena at polymer-water interfaces are central to technologies for water purification, ion separations, and energy conversion, yet the ability to systematically control polymer surface charge and associated electrokinetic processes remains limited. Here, we demonstrate a simple liquid-phase infiltration (LPI) method to synthesize polymer-metal oxide hybrid films with controllable interfacial properties. Hydroxy-terminated poly(2-vinylpyridine) (P2VP-OH) brushes grafted to silicon substrates were infiltrated with iron nitrate from ethanolic solution, followed by low-temperature thermal treatment to convert the infiltrated precursor into iron oxide. Spectroscopic ellipsometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis confirmed oxide incorporation and hybrid film formation without polymer degradation. Electrokinetic flow characterization reveals that the hybrid films acquire the electrokinetic properties of the infiltrated oxide, with concentration-dependent streaming potentials and surface conductivities closely matching those of pure iron oxide films. These results establish metal oxide infiltration as a scalable and low-cost strategy for controlling interfacial charge in polymer surfaces. The approach introduces new materials and design parameters for tailoring ion selectivity, transport, and energy conversion, with broad implications for the development of advanced membranes, electrokinetic harvesting devices, and polymer-supported oxide electrodes.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2601_02519
institution arXiv
publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Polymer-Iron Oxide Hybrid Films for Controlling Electrokinetic Properties
Dick, Austin
Tong, Xiao
Kisslinger, Kim
Colosqui, Carlos E.
Doerk, Gregory
Materials Science
Soft Condensed Matter
Electrokinetic phenomena at polymer-water interfaces are central to technologies for water purification, ion separations, and energy conversion, yet the ability to systematically control polymer surface charge and associated electrokinetic processes remains limited. Here, we demonstrate a simple liquid-phase infiltration (LPI) method to synthesize polymer-metal oxide hybrid films with controllable interfacial properties. Hydroxy-terminated poly(2-vinylpyridine) (P2VP-OH) brushes grafted to silicon substrates were infiltrated with iron nitrate from ethanolic solution, followed by low-temperature thermal treatment to convert the infiltrated precursor into iron oxide. Spectroscopic ellipsometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis confirmed oxide incorporation and hybrid film formation without polymer degradation. Electrokinetic flow characterization reveals that the hybrid films acquire the electrokinetic properties of the infiltrated oxide, with concentration-dependent streaming potentials and surface conductivities closely matching those of pure iron oxide films. These results establish metal oxide infiltration as a scalable and low-cost strategy for controlling interfacial charge in polymer surfaces. The approach introduces new materials and design parameters for tailoring ion selectivity, transport, and energy conversion, with broad implications for the development of advanced membranes, electrokinetic harvesting devices, and polymer-supported oxide electrodes.
title Polymer-Iron Oxide Hybrid Films for Controlling Electrokinetic Properties
topic Materials Science
Soft Condensed Matter
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2601.02519