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Published on: September 6, 2011
Inkjet-printed thiol self-assembled monolayer structures on gold: quality control and microarray electrode
Ina Rianasari1, Lorenz Walder, Malte Burchardt
1Institute of Chemistry, Center of Interface Science, University of Osnabrück, Barbarastrasse 7, Osnabrück, Germany.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|July 12, 2008
Summary
Inkjet printing enables the creation of patterned self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) with quality comparable to lithography. This method allows simultaneous printing of multiple thiols, offering a versatile platform for advanced surface patterning.
Area of Science:
- Surface chemistry
- Nanotechnology
- Materials science
Background:
- Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) are crucial for surface functionalization.
- Traditional methods for creating patterned SAMs can be complex and time-consuming.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel inkjet printing method for fabricating laterally structured SAMs.
- To investigate the quality and capabilities of inkjet-printed SAMs.
- To demonstrate simultaneous printing of multiple thiols.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing a modified inkjet printer with thiol solutions in ethanol/glycerol.
- Characterizing SAMs using cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, SECM, and PM IRRAS.
- Fabricating various electrode structures, including disks and band electrodes.
Main Results:
- Inkjet-printed SAMs exhibit quality between solution-based assembly and soft lithography.
- Demonstrated simultaneous printing of two different thiols in a single job.
- Created conductive disks down to 40 microm diameter and variable bandwidth electrodes.
- Showcased a pH-switchable band structure.
Conclusions:
- Inkjet printing is a viable and efficient method for creating high-quality, patterned SAMs.
- This technique offers advantages over stamping for simultaneous multi-thiol printing.
- The resolution is limited by droplet size and printing precision, enabling microscale patterning.
