# New Insights in the Ion Beam Sputtering Deposition of ZnO-Fluoropolymer Nanocomposites
## 4 Conclusions  
ZnO-CF\({}_{x}\) nanocomposites with different inorganic fractions were deposited by IBS by properly tuning the deposition parameters. Material characterization by TEM, AFM, and XPS showed  
Figure 5: F1s XP-high resolution regions of ZnO-CF\({}_{x}\) nanocomposites having an inorganic phase volume fraction of \(\phi\) = 0.15 as a function of \(\theta\) and subject to thermal treatment in an oxygenated atmosphere (**a**) or deposited with an auxiliary O\({}_{2}\) flow (**b**). differences to previously reported metal-CF\({}_{x}\) nanocomposites. The ZnO cluster size increased with \(\phi\), and nanoparticle aggregation was observed at high \(\phi\) values. Surface XPS characterization exhibited how an extremely branched polymer dispersing matrix was produced in comparison to the homologous metal-CF\({}_{x}\) (Au-CF\({}_{x}\), Ag-CF\({}_{x}\), Cu-CF\({}_{x}\)) materials that were developed and characterized in the past by the same authors. The presence of significant quantities of ZnF\({}_{2}\) on the surface of these nanocomposites was observed. Hence, sample treatments were developed in order to obtain a complete stoichiometry for the inorganic nanophases and allow for the conversion of fluorides into ZnO. This was done in order to prevent any possible harmful action of ZnF\({}_{2}\) in all of those cases in which the coatings could be used for applications involving skin contact (such as the development of an antimicrobial textile or leather). The experimental approach based on post-deposition thermal treatments herein presented shows an interesting way to solve an important problem related to surface properties. From a diagnostic point of view, the understanding of ZnL\({}_{3}\)M\({}_{45}\)M\({}_{45}\) Auger transitions, because of the lack of an adequate level of information present in the literature, suggested to us the need to develop curve-fit models of this region that can provide important information about chemical speciation of composites where zinc is simultaneously present in multiple chemical states. These composite materials showed great application potentiality, which could be explored in the controlled modification of industrial products, as outlined in the Supplementary Information (Figures S3 and S4). Moreover, they could be proficiently applied as depolymerization catalysts in ionic liquid media, as we have recently demonstrated for other ZnO nanoparticle-containing materials [51]. The following are available online at [[http://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/8/1/77/s1](http://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/8/1/77/s1)]([http://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/8/1/77/s1](http://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/8/1/77/s1)), Figure S1: 150-nm-tick ZnO-CF\({}_{x}\) composite films were morphologically characterized by SEM analysis, at 30 kV with a Hitachi SEM-FEG 5000 microscope on gold-coated sample. Figure S2: C1s XP-high resolution regions of ZnO-CF\({}_{x}\) nanocomposites having an inorganic phase volume fraction \(\phi\) = 0 (a), \(\phi\) = 0.05 (b), \(\phi\) = 0.10 (c), and \(\phi\) = 0.15 (d). Figure S3: Real textile materials modified with ZnO-fluoropolymer nanocomposites at different inorganic loading. Figure S4: Water contact angle measurement on unfinished real leather modified with ZnO-fluoropolymer nanocomposites at different inorganic loading. Measured values are: 69.5 \(\pm\) 0.5\({}^{\circ}\) at \(\phi\) = 0, 114.1 \(\pm\) 0.5\({}^{\circ}\) at \(\phi\) = 0.05, and 103.5 \(\pm\) 0.5\({}^{\circ}\) at \(\phi\) = 0.15.Table S1: Relative abundances (%) of different carbon moieties, derived from the C1s curve-fitting, as a function of \(\phi\). Part of this work was financially supported by Italian MIUR Project No. PONa3 00369. Financial support from Regione Puglia, in the scientific Research Project \"Laboratorio di technologie di modificazione superficiale di fibre naturali per il rilancio del settre tesilite in Puglia\"--Avviso pubblico n 16/2009 POR PUGLIA 2007-2013 \"Reti di Laboratori Pubblici di Ricerca,\" is acknowledged for TEM facility.