Structural materials underpinning functional materials: teaching old dogs new tricks

• Published in: Polymer international Vol. 57; no. 5; pp. 672 - 677
• Main Author: MacDonald, William A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 01-05-2008; Wiley
• Subjects: Application fields; Applied sciences; barrier; dimensional reproducibility; Electronics; Exact sciences and technology; flexible electronics; Microelectronic fabrication (materials and surfaces technology); polyester films; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Semiconductor electronics. Microelectronics. Optoelectronics. Solid state devices; surface quality; Technology of polymers; Ethylene terephthalate polymer; Polyimide; Film; Size stability; Ester polymer; flexible electronics; Ethersulfone polymer; Semicrystalline polymer; Experimental study; dimensional reproducibility; barrier; Naphthalate polymer; Flexible structure; Barrier material; Surface properties; Selection criterion; Amorphous polymer; Application; Polycarbonate; polyester films; Organic electronics; surface quality
• ISSN: 0959-8103; 1097-0126
• DOI: 10.1002/pi.2397

‘Structural’ polymers are finding new applications underpinning new technology developments based on functional polymers. This paper discusses the use of polyester films as base substrates for flexible electronic applications based on conjugated polymers and low‐temperature hydrogenated amorphous silica processing, and discusses the challenges involved in successfully developing substrates ‘fit for purpose’. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry