Fabrication of Nanoplasmonic Arrays with Square Symmetry Using Spin-Coating Method

Abstract

A spin-coating method was applied for the first time to prepare a colloid monolayer on the optical crossed gratings used as a template. Four polystyrene colloids of various nominal sizes and different surface charges were spin-coated on templates with periods matched to the particles size. Three types of coverage were described depending on the spin-coating parameters and particles type. The optimal coverage was obtained for all four particles sizes. A way of finding the right spin-coating parameters was proposed. The analysis of a coverage capability of polystyrene particles showed that neutral particles have the highest ability to order on the templates used. Large monolayered areas of ordered particles were used as a lithographic mask for generating a pattern of gold nanoparticles with a square symmetry. A few hundred square micrometers large, continuous and fully defect-free areas of gold nanoparticles were produced on the nearly entire surface of the templated substrates.

Multifunctional Structured Platforms: From Patterning of Polymer-Based Films to Their Subsequent Filling with Various Nanomaterials

“…Spin casting is a classical deposition technique that may be used to obtain highly uniform, often self-assembled, layers of specific material particles onto various solid substrates by rotating and spreading the corresponding colloidal suspension [290,294] with the help of centrifugal forces [301] (Figure 14e). The most important parameters considered when employing this method are the spinning speed given by the number of rotations per minute, the acceleration, and the time of spinning [189,302]. The optimization of these parameters allows the spreading of materials such as silica [14], magnetic [301], or PS particles [189,302], just to name a few, and it can transform spin casting into a versatile method that can create arrays of assembled particles [302,303] and can fill various surface relief patterns [189,301].…”

“…The most important parameters considered when employing this method are the spinning speed given by the number of rotations per minute, the acceleration, and the time of spinning [189,302]. The optimization of these parameters allows the spreading of materials such as silica [14], magnetic [301], or PS particles [189,302], just to name a few, and it can transform spin casting into a versatile method that can create arrays of assembled particles [302,303] and can fill various surface relief patterns [189,301]. This latter function of spin casting can lead to the realization of structures of various geometrical shapes, including pillars surrounded by particles [14], filled holes [301], or grooves [304] that may be used in the fields of surfaces [303], engineering [301], optoelectronics [304], or plasmonics [189].…”

“…The optimization of these parameters allows the spreading of materials such as silica [14], magnetic [301], or PS particles [189,302], just to name a few, and it can transform spin casting into a versatile method that can create arrays of assembled particles [302,303] and can fill various surface relief patterns [189,301]. This latter function of spin casting can lead to the realization of structures of various geometrical shapes, including pillars surrounded by particles [14], filled holes [301], or grooves [304] that may be used in the fields of surfaces [303], engineering [301], optoelectronics [304], or plasmonics [189].…”

“…PL can be further applied to create masks [189] that then can be employed in other type of lithographic techniques in order to generate various patterns in polymeric materials. For instance, Friedl et al have exploited a spin coating approach to prepare colloidal monolayers of PS particles of diameters ranging from few to several hundreds of nanometers on corresponding grating templates.…”

“…For instance, Friedl et al have exploited a spin coating approach to prepare colloidal monolayers of PS particles of diameters ranging from few to several hundreds of nanometers on corresponding grating templates. Their studies revealed that smaller particles had a higher coverage capability [189], being better suitable for the mask fabrication. Moreover, Saracut et al have created uniaxial colloidal arrays by the colloidal assembly of 500 nm PS spheres on a DVD substrate patterned with structures exhibiting a lateral periodicity of 750 nm [4].…”