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Metal nanoparticle arrays via a water-based lift-off scheme using a block copolymer template
Björn Landeke-Wilsmark1, Carl Hägglund1
1Division of Solar Cell Technology, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Uppsala University, PO Box 35, SE-75103 Uppsala, Sweden.
Nanotechnology
|May 17, 2022
Summary
This study introduces a novel, cost-effective method for creating ordered metal nanoparticle arrays using block copolymer self-assembly and a water-based lift-off technique. This approach avoids harsh chemicals and expensive processes, enabling scalable applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Surface Chemistry
Background:
- Metal nanoparticles (NPs) possess unique properties valuable for diverse applications.
- Conventional nanofabrication of ordered NP arrays is often expensive, challenging, and uses harsh methods.
- Existing techniques can damage sensitive substrates, limiting their applicability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a scalable, cost-effective, and gentle method for fabricating highly ordered, non-close-packed metal NP arrays.
- To utilize block copolymer (BCP) self-assembly for template generation in a water-based lift-off process.
- To overcome limitations of existing nanofabrication techniques for sensitive substrates.
Main Methods:
- A three-layer lift-off stack: BCP template (poly(styrene-block-2-vinyl pyridine)), SiO2 hardmask, and sacrificial poly(vinyl alcohol) layer.
- Solvent-Induced Surface Reconstruction (SISR) to create initial topography in the BCP template.
- Reactive ion etching to transfer topography to underlying layers, forming a nanoporous mask.
- Water-based lift-off by dissolving the sacrificial layer after metal deposition.
Main Results:
- Successfully fabricated well-ordered arrays of gold (Au) NPs with sharp localized surface plasmon resonances.
- Demonstrated a water-based lift-off scheme decoupling BCP self-assembly from substrate properties.
- Identified SISR termination as critical for large-scale uniformity, indicating potential for process optimization.
Conclusions:
- The developed method offers a rapid, inexpensive, and scalable route to ordered metal NP arrays.
- The water-based lift-off approach avoids harsh solvents, making it suitable for sensitive substrates.
- The technique is adaptable to various BCP morphologies and deposited materials, suggesting broad applicability.
