HYCOAT is a project funded by the European Union in the framework of the H2020 Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions – Innovative Training Networks. It is the first European Training Network at the intersection of chemistry, physics, materials science and engineering dealing with the synthesis and applications of hybrid coatings grown by Molecular Layer Deposition (MLD). HYCOAT aims to provide an interdisciplinary and multi-environment (Universities, Research Centers, SMEs & Large industries) training platform and offers 15 Marie Sklodowska-Curie Early Stage Researcher/PhD positions. A coordinated effort of 10 beneficiaries and 16 partner organizations from 7 European countries (Belgium, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway and Spain), HYCOAT targets the development of novel precursor chemistries, processes, characterisation and modelling of MLD and the demonstration of hybrid coatings in four key high impact fields of application relevant for European industries, in packaging, biomedical, electronics and batteries.
WHY HYBRID MATERIALS ? - Hybrid materials engineered at the molecular scale can have synergetic properties, i.e. surpassing the performance of their individual inorganic and organic components. Thin films of hybrid materials will enable breakthroughs in several economically and socially relevant technological application areas.
THE CHALLENGE - Combining inorganic and organic building blocks on a molecular scale is challenging due to the different preparative conditions needed for forming inorganic and organic networks. Current routes are often based on solution chemistry, e.g. sol-gel synthesis combined with spin-coating, dipping or spraying. Liquid-based techniques lack the level of control (thickness, composition, etc.) and sophistication (avoiding contamination, corrosion, etc.) required to fully enable the potential of hybrid coatings, especially on complex surfaces.
MOLECULAR LAYER DEPOSITION AS A SOLUTION - Molecular Layer Deposition (MLD) is a vapour phase deposition technique for hybrid thin films based on successive self-limiting surface reactions. In several aspects, MLD resembles the now mainstream technique of Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD). However, where ALD is limited to exclusively inorganic coatings, the precursor chemistry in MLD is expanded to include organics and enables linking both types of building blocks together in a controlled way to build up organic-inorganic hybrid materials.
HYCOAT OBJECTIVES - The key objective of HYCOAT is to create a group of exceptionally well-trained young researchers who have a deep understanding of all aspects of MLD technology, as well as broad vision on the application potential of hybrid coatings. Therefore, via training-through-research projects and training events, the consortium aims to
• Objective 1: establish novel MLD deposition chemistries and process schemes
• Objective 2: enable fabrication of hybrid thin films with tailor-made and novel properties
• Objective 3: gain a deep understanding of the molecular mechanisms during MLD processes
• Objective 4: develop dedicated, industrially scalable reactor concepts for MLD-type processes.
