Project No. 09.3.3-LMT-K-712-01-0074
Project title: „Development of advanced self-healing composites for new generation touch-sensitive screens”.
Project duration: from 2018-01-02 till 2021-10-31
Research leader: dr. Algirdas Lazauskas
Funding: This research was (and is) funded by the European Social Fund under the No 09.3.3-LMT-K-712-01 “Improvement of researchers’ qualification by implementing world-class R&D projects” measure. Grant No. 09.3.3-LMT-K-712-01-0074.
Abstract: This project is aimed to improve touch-sensitive screen technology via development of flexible, optically transparent, electrically conductive and self-healing multilayered composite, which would replace ITO coated glass. The first layer would consist of electrically conductive polymer with conjugated double bonds while the second layer – an optically transparent polymer with self-healing function. The surface of the second layer (outer layer) would be coated with a thin film exhibiting superhydrophobic and superoleophobic properties. The use of suggested composite would ensure the mobile device flexibility, regeneration of the screen and significantly enhance the impact resistance. Additionally, it would allow to eliminate complex and expensive ITO coating formation processes.
The aim of this work is to develop flexible, optically transparent, electrically conductive and self-healing composite for touch-sensitive screens.
Objectives:
1. To form the layers from electrically conductive polymers with conjugated double bonds and to investigate the structural and electrical properties determining a suitable content composition.
2. To synthesize the UV-curable photopolymer compositions on the basis of polyfunctional trimethylolpropane and pentaerythritol thioesters and to investigate the structural, optical, mechanical properties and self-healing function.
3. To synthesize the polymer composites containing ionic liquid and to investigate the corresponding structural, optical, mechanical properties and self-healing function.
4. To form the superhydrophobic and superoleophobic thin films via sol-gel method and to investigate their compatibility with polymer composites exhibiting self-healing effect.
5. To form the tri-layered composites and to investigate the corresponding optical, mechanical properties as well as surface morphology.
6. To create the self-healing tests using e-beam and optical lithography combined with deep etching for the quantitative evaluation of self-healing function.
7. To determine the influence of mechanical load on the electrical properties of polymer composites.
8. To determine the UV exposure and atmospheric influence on the properties of polymer composites.
Expected results: The main expected project result is creation of the flexible, optically transparent, electrically conductive and self-healing polymer composite for the new generation of touch-sensitive screens. The use of such composite would ensure flexibility, impact resistance and self-healing of the touch screens. Additionally, it would allow to eliminate the expensive ITO coating formation processes. It is planned to publish 8 scientific publications indexed in the Clarivate Analytics Web of Science (CA WoS) database. At least one member from the research group together with other scientists and institution of science and studies from Lithuania will submit an application as a principal investigator in accordance with international programs or other foreign institution project calls.
