Topology assisted self-organization of colloidal nanoparticles: application to 2D large-scale nanomastering

Abstract

SummaryOur aim was to elaborate a novel method for fully controllable large-scale nanopatterning. We investigated the influence of the surface topology, i.e., a pre-pattern of hydrogen silsesquioxane (HSQ) posts, on the self-organization of polystyrene beads (PS) dispersed over a large surface. Depending on the post size and spacing, long-range ordering of self-organized polystyrene beads is observed wherein guide posts were used leading to single crystal structure. Topology assisted self-organization has proved to be one of the solutions to obtain large-scale ordering. Besides post size and spacing, the colloidal concentration and the nature of solvent were found to have a significant effect on the self-organization of the PS beads. Scanning electron microscope and associated Fourier transform analysis were used to characterize the morphology of the ordered surfaces. Finally, the production of silicon molds is demonstrated by using the beads as a template for dry etching.

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

“…Moreover, any colloidal suspension, which usually can be dropped on a patterned substrate in any desired quantity, undergoes colloidal self-assembly. Under optimized conditions, this process may lead to arrays of square-like patterns filled with self-assembled particles [ 296 ], to PS particles assembled [ 297 ] on gold-patterned arrays [ 12 ], or to PS sulfate latex particles selectively assembled inside groove and hole patterns [ 298 ]. Nonetheless, the disadvantage of this approach consists in the limited control over the solvent evaporation rate and thus over the colloidal self-assembly process.…”

Microscopic defects as the limiting factor in the direct transmission of nanocoatings obtained through self‐assembly

“…This latter case can however be helped by assisted deposition which involves pre‐patterning the surface through a top‐down method. [ 9 ]…”

A Novel Approach to Quantitatively Assess the Uniformity of Binary Colloidal Crystal Assemblies

“…Due to their versatility and cost efficiency many methods have been proposed for the fabrication of colloidal crystal assemblies. These include the assembly of particles at the water/air interface and subsequent transfer to a support material [26], vertical deposition [27,28], spin coating [29,30], template-assisted self-assembly [31] and evaporation induced self-assembly on flat substrates [25,32]. Among these, solvent evaporation remains a popular choice due to lack of need for specialised equipment.…”