Tailoring two-dimensional nanoparticle arrays into various patterns

Abstract

A simple and effective technique has been developed to fabricate patterns of nanoparticle arrays. Lithographically fabricated structures in resists serve as scissors to tailor two-dimensional nanoparticle arrays on a flat poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) stamp. The desired patterns of nanoparticle arrays remaining on the PDMS stamp after tailoring can be printed onto solid substrates. Various regular nanoparticle patterns, such as squares, triangles, disks, and pentagons, can be easily prepared using this technique. Arbitrary nanoparticle patterns as complex as Chinese characters have been successfully demonstrated. Moreover, nanoparticle stripes with width ranging from micrometers to quasi single nanoparticle diameter have also been achieved. Nanoparticle stripes have been integrated into electronic devices for transport measurements.

Controlled and Stable Patterning of Diverse Inorganic Nanocrystals on Crystalline Two-Dimensional Protein Arrays

“…Cells produce protein- and nucleic acid-based assemblies with chemical complexity and structural precision far beyond what is possible with laboratory synthesis or fabrication techniques. , Controlled patterning of nanoparticles (NPs) along these scaffolds enables the synthesis of complex hybrid materials with potential applications in nanoelectronics, optics, and biochemical sensing. − Bottom-up approaches using self-assembling DNA- and protein-based scaffolds offer general routes for patterning nanoparticles with some control over spacing and density. For example, DNA origami has been used to scaffold Au into arrays or wires at interparticle distances to allow optical interactions between adjacent gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), − and disulfides have been engineered into protein tetramers, enabling them to form extended crystalline two-dimensional (2D) assemblies that can pattern AuNPs …”

Focus on sub-10 nm nanofabrication

“…Different approaches have been proposed to achieve this goal. Sun et al used a pattern transfer technology to define complex structures of gold nanoparticles onto solid substrates [1]. The resolution of this top-down fabrication process can be as small as several nanoparticle diameters.…”