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Atomically Traceable Nanostructure Fabrication
Published on: July 17, 2015
Programming nanostructured soft biological surfaces by atomic layer deposition.
Imre Miklós Szilágyi1, Georg Teucher, Emma Härkönen
1Department of Chemistry, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. imre.szilagyi@mail.bme.hu
Nanotechnology
|May 18, 2013
Summary
Researchers programmed biological tissue surfaces using atomic layer deposition (ALD), adding photocatalytic activity to lotus leaf
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Surface Chemistry
Background:
- Lotus leaf surfaces exhibit inherent superhydrophobic properties due to their nanopatterned structure.
- Modifying biological tissue surfaces is challenging due to their sensitivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To program the surface properties of nanostructured soft biological tissues using atomic layer deposition (ALD).
- To impart new functionalities, such as photocatalytic activity, while preserving existing properties like superhydrophobicity.
Main Methods:
- Atomic layer deposition (ALD) of titanium dioxide (TiO2) thin films (3-125 nm) onto lotus leaf surfaces.
- Characterization using SEM-EDX, XPS, Raman spectroscopy, TG-DTA, X-ray reflectivity (XRR), water contact angle measurements, and photocatalysis tests.
Main Results:
- Successful programming of lotus leaf surface properties with TiO2 thin films.
- Preservation of superhydrophobicity and addition of photocatalytic activity.
- Investigation into the influence of nanopattern density on superhydrophobicity.
Conclusions:
- ALD is a viable technique for functionalizing nanostructured biological tissues.
- Surface passivation and ALD precursors impact the stability of soft biological tissues.
- Understanding nanopatterns is crucial for controlling surface properties.
