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A high-quality and -throughput colloidal lithography by mechanical assembly and ice-based transfer
Sivan Tzdaka1,2, Sanjay Singh Eswara Singh1,2, Abed Al Kader Yassin3
1Department of Materials Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel. marksc@bgu.ac.il.
Nanoscale
|September 17, 2025
Summary
A new ice-assisted transfer method creates defect-free nanoparticle monolayers for scalable nanostructuring. This technique enhances applications in optics and biotechnology, overcoming limitations of traditional colloidal lithography.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Surface Chemistry
Background:
- Colloidal lithography offers cost-effective nanoscale patterning but suffers from defects like empty areas and multilayers.
- These defects limit the practical applications of conventional nanofabrication techniques.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel, defect-free colloidal lithography method for high-quality nanoparticle monolayers.
- To demonstrate the versatility and scalability of the new technique for functional nanostructure fabrication.
Main Methods:
- Introduced an "ice-assisted transfer" technique combining rubbing-based particle assembly on elastomer substrates with ice-mediated transfer.
- Optimized process parameters such as surfactant concentration and water film thickness to minimize defects.
- Utilized the technique for fabricating antireflective coatings and nanostructured surfaces for cell activation.
Main Results:
- Achieved defect-free, high-quality polycrystalline nanoparticle monolayers with precise control over arrangement and density.
- Demonstrated near-zero reflection in the mid-infrared spectrum for antireflective "moth-eye" coatings.
- Enhanced T-cell activation on nanostructured surfaces, indicating potential for immunotherapy.
Conclusions:
- The ice-assisted transfer method provides a rapid, cost-efficient, and scalable approach to nanostructuring without specialized equipment.
- This advancement addresses critical challenges in colloidal lithography, enabling broader practical applications in optics, biotechnology, and beyond.
