Directed assembly of polymers and polymer blends using self-assembled alkanethiols on electon beam lithography patterned templates

ANYL 181

Ming Wei, Ming_Wei@uml.edu1, Liang Fang1, Jun Lee1, Sivasubramanian Somu2, Xugang Xiong2, Carol Barry1, Ahmed Busnaina2, and Joey Mead, Joey_Mead@uml.edu1. (1) Department of Plastics Engineering, NSF Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center for High-rate Nanomanufacturing, University of Masschusetts Lowell, One univeresity Avenue, Lowell, MA 01854, (2) Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, NSF Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center for High-rate Nanomanufacturing, Northeastern University, 120 Forsyth Street, Boston, MA 02115
In this paper, we report a simple and versatile approach to patterning alkanethiols with different functionalities by combining well-established electron beam lithography and self-assembly of monolayers. This patterning method offers advantages including the potential for high rate patterning over large areas, and the use of a wide range of chemical functionalities. Two different self-assembled monolayers, including hydrophilic 11-amino-1-undecanethiol hydrochloride (MUAM) and hydrophobic octadecanethiol (ODT), were patterned onto a gold surface. The patterned MUAM/ODT template can be used to control the deposition of pure polymers or polymer blends. Polystyrene (PS)/polyacrylic acid (PAA) blends and pure PS or PAA were spin-coated on patterned surfaces resulting in the preferential assembly of PAA onto the MUAM monolayers and the assembly of PS onto the ODT monolayers in times as short as 30 seconds. Patterning of PS/PAA blends can also be accomplished using other alkanethiols, such as ODT in combination with a hydrophilic alkaethiol with a carboxyl terminal group. This directed assembly method provides a powerful tool for rapid patterning of multiple macromolecules in one-step with high specificity and selectivity. These patterned polymer structures offer potential for a variety of applications, such as polymeric optoelectronic devices and biosensors.
 

Directed Assemblies Using Surface Templates
1:25 PM-4:45 PM, Wednesday, April 9, 2008 Morial Convention Center -- Rm. 335, Oral

Division of Analytical Chemistry

The 235th ACS National Meeting, New Orleans, LA, April 6-10, 2008