(Sub-)microscale patterning via microcontact printing (μCP): recent advances, applications and future perspectives.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Surface Chemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Microcontact printing (μCP) is a widely used, cost-effective surface patterning method.
• Current μCP applications are mainly limited to smooth surfaces, neglecting rough, capillary-active, or hydrogel substrates.
• This limitation hinders the broader application of μCP in diverse scientific and technological fields.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in microcontact printing (μCP) technology.
• To highlight emerging applications of μCP across various disciplines.
• To address challenges associated with patterning non-smooth surfaces and propose solutions.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of microcontact printing (μCP) techniques and applications.
• Analysis of factors limiting μCP on non-smooth surfaces.
• Introduction and conceptualization of polymer brush-supported μCP (PolyBrushMiC).

Main Results:

• μCP technology has evolved significantly, with expanding applications.
• Non-smooth surfaces present unique challenges for μCP due to surface topography and properties.
• Polymer brush-supported μCP (PolyBrushMiC) is proposed as a novel strategy to enhance μCP compatibility with rough and capillary-active surfaces.

Conclusions:

• Microcontact printing (μCP) shows great potential beyond smooth surfaces.
• Addressing challenges of non-smooth surfaces is crucial for unlocking new μCP applications.
• PolyBrushMiC offers a promising approach for advanced surface patterning on complex substrates.