Grafting and patterned grafting of block copolymer nanotubes onto inorganic substrates

Chemical patterning of inorganic substrates by soft lithography has enabled various high-tech applications and cutting-edge fundamental research. In this paper, we report on methods for the grafting and patterned grafting of block copolymer nanotubes onto glass and mica surfaces. Under optimized conditions the density of such grafted nanotubes can be high, and most of the grafted tubes are in a standing position even after solvent evaporation. Surfaces modified with exotic reagents such as block copolymer nanofibers or nanotubes may find applications in biosensing, etc.