Study of organic layers polymerized by ionizing irradiation
Principal investigator
This project investigates the formation and properties of polymer nanocoatings (PNCs) derived from self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of fatty acids crosslinked by ionizing radiation. While aromatic SAMs are known to crosslink under such conditions, aliphatic SAMs like those formed from fatty acids are typically degraded. However, recent studies suggest that crosslinking of aliphatic SAMs is possible under specific gamma irradiation conditions. This project aims to explore the structural and protective characteristics of PNCs formed from various fatty acids using both gamma and X-ray irradiation. Advanced characterization techniques—including spectroscopic ellipsometry, AFM, UV-Vis spectroscopy, XRR, and GIXD—will be employed to analyze film structure and correlate it with corrosion resistance assessed via electrochemical methods. The effects of irradiation type, dose, and dose rate on crosslinking efficiency and film stability will be systematically examined. Long-term corrosion studies will further identify optimal molecular architectures for robust, hydrophobic surface coatings, enhancing the application potential of biocompatible PNCs in biomedical and nanotechnological fields.