Nanoscale patterning of flat carbon surfaces by scanning probe lithography and electrochemistry

We report the formation of carbon surfaces patterned at the nanoscale with organic functionalities. Thin (<10 nm) films are covalently grafted to the surface via the electrochemical reduction of aryl diazonium salts. Areas of the film are removed with an AFM tip, and a second modifier is electrochemically grafted to the exposed surface. The pattern can incorporate different chemical functionalities, or alternatively topographical patterns can be assembled, where the same functionality is present throughout the pattern.