GVD's latest product offering is Exilis™ ICP (Intrinsically-Conducting Polymer): a pure, ultra-thin coating of electrically conductive polymers such as PEDOT (poly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), polypyrrole, and other conductive polymers and copolymers. The electrical conductivity of these coatings adds value in applications where the substrate's mechanical flexibility and other desirable features must be retained.
ExilisTM ICP coatings are highly conformal to even the most complicated surface topologies, including particles, foams, and fabrics. Conventionally, conductive polymers are deposited from solution using spray-, dip- or spin-coating which can result in poor coating homogeneity and compromised electrical properties. GVD's Exilis™ ICP coatings are deposited by a dry gas-based CVD process which infiltrates and polymerizes on the surface evenly. In the case of a fabric, this gently "shrink-wraps" each individual fiber with an electrically conductive nano-coating. No high substrate temperatures or wet chemical pretreatments (which might damage the substrate) are required.
Our Exilis™ ICP PEDOT coatings also exhibit high optical transparency, rivaling that of ITO (indium tin oxide). With the dwindling supply and mechanical brittleness of ITO, viable alternative electrode materials such as Exilis™ ICP PEDOT are increasingly attractive. Electrical conductivities as high as the 102 S/cm range are achievable; these conductivities are comparable to values reported for the best liquid-based Baytron® P (Clevios®) ICP films. GVD can adjust coating properties such as electrical conductivity and work function by simply varying the polymer deposition parameters.
Exilis™ ICP Coated Open Cell Foam
Electrical Conductivity: 10-4–102 S/cm range can be achieved.
Part Compatibility: GVD's coatings can uniformly coat a broad range of parts, regardless of material composition (e.g. paper, plastic, metal), feature size (down to the nano-scale), or geometry (flat or curved, smooth or complex, dense or porous).
Scaleable: Overall substrate dimensions can range from millimeters to inches in our current bench-scale chamber. Larger coating systems are in development including semi-continuous roll-to-roll units.
Ultra-Thinness: GVD coatings are as thin as 20 nanometers. Wet processes typically produce much thicker coatings (10-1,000 times thicker).
Uniform and Conformal: Homogeneous coating thicknesses over intricately shaped surfaces, including those with micro- or nano- features and porosity.
Adjustable Properties: Conventional coating methods take pre-made polymers and attempt to produce a coating. The properties of the coating are fixed by the composition of the starting material. In contrast, GVD simultaneously synthesizes electrically-conductive polymers during the coating process. This enables many features of the coating to be tuned, including conductivity, work function, composition, and thickness.
Pure, Dry process: GVD's technology obviates the need for solvents and other conventional processing additives which may compromise the purity and performance of conventional coatings.
Excellent Adhesion: GVD conductive coatings chemically bond (covalently attach, or "graft") themselves to many substrates, affording superior adhesion.
Our Exilis™ ICP coatings have application in: