Kristof Toth

Bio

PhD Candidate, Yale University, School of Engineering & Applied Science, Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering

May 2017, M. Phil. in Chemical Engineering, Yale University

May 2016, M.S in Chemical Engineering, Yale University

May 2014, B.S. in Chemical Engineering, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art

Current Research

My research concerns the development of a new paradigm for patterning self-assembled nanomaterials, namely the electrospray deposition of block copolymer (BCP) thin films.  The motivation  for this work is the prospect of having a continuous deposition method of thin films (as opposed to spin coating) for the use of precisely controlled spatial organization of nanostructures, such as in nanolithographic masks for magnetic data storage, templating of various nanomaterials, and next generation batteries, fuel cells, photonics, or optoelectronic devices.  

In my work, I explore BCP coverage kinetics and film growth of thin films, as well as sequentially deposited BCP heterolattices and their ordering pathways using in-situ grazing incidence small angle x-ray scattering. A custom sample environment was developed for in operando studies during deposition at the 11-BM Complex Materials Scattering beamline at NSLS-II. In particular, strategies for ensuring the persistence of epitaxially-defined and vertically oriented microstructure in BCP films was explored, including sequential growth of vertically oriented microdomains during “top-coat” experiments. Furthermore, leveraging the ability of gradient syringe pump systems, I designed and developed a first-of-its-kind user tool at the Center for Functional Nanomaterials at BNL with the ability to create one or two-dimensional compositional gradient nanoscale films via ESD. These capabilities make it possible to construct thin film multicomponent “libraries” on a single substrate to rapidly and systematically characterize composition-dependent properties. Paired with synchrotron small angle X-ray scattering, this tool forms an integral part of a new platform for high-throughput, autonomous characterization and design of self-assembling polymer blends as well as functional soft materials, more generally.”

Publications

Xunda Feng, Kohsuke Kawabata, Matthew G. Cowan, Gregory E. Dwulet, Kristof Toth, Lucas Sixdenier, Amir Haji-Akbari, Richard D. Noble, Menachem Elimelech, Douglas L. Gin, and Chinedum O. Osuji, “Single crystal texture in a soft mesophase by directing molecular assembly along dual axes”, Nature Materials, [DOI:10.1038/s41563-019-0389-1] (2019)

L. Wiegart, G. S. Doerk, M. Fukuto, S. Lee, R. Li, G. Marom, M. M. Noack, C. O. Osuji, M. H. Rafailovich, J. A. Sethian, Y. Shmueli, M. Torres Arango, K. Toth, K. G. Yager & R. Pindak, “Instrumentation for In situ/Operando X-ray Scattering Studies of Polymer Additive Manufacturing Processes”, Synchrotron Radiation News, 32:2, 20-27 (2019)

Youngwoo Choo, Hanqiong Hu, Kristof Toth, and Chinedum O. Osuji, “Sequential deposition of block copolymer thin films and formation of lamellar heterolattices by electrospray deposition”, Journal of Polymer Science Part B: Polymer Physics, 54, 247-253 (2016)

Candice I. Pelligra, Kristof Toth, Hanqiong Hu and Chinedum O. Osuji, “Rapid fabrication of ZnO nanorod arrays with controlled spacing by micelle-templated solvothermal growth”, Nanoscale, 8, 149-156 (2016)

Hanqiong Hu, Kristof Toth, Myungwoong Kim, Padma Gopalan and Chinedum O. Osuji, “Continuous and patterned deposition of functional block copolymer thin films using electrospray”, MRS Communications, 5, 235-242 (2015)