Microcontact printing of self - assembled applications in monolayers : microfabrication

This paper describ_es applications in microfabrication using patterned sel f -assembled monolayers (SAMs) formed by microcontact pr int ing."Microcontact pr int ing (7rCP) is a f lexible new technique that forms patterned SnMs with regions terminated by di f ferent chemical funct ional i t ies (and thus di f ferent physicat and chemical propert ies), in patterns wi th pm dimensions. Patterns of 'SAM are formed using an alkanethiol as an ' tnk ' , and pr int ing the alkanethiol n a metal support wi th elastomeric 's tamp'. We fabr icate the stamp by moulding a si l icone lastomer usrng a master prepared by opt ical or x-ray microl i thography or by other techniques. SAMs of long-chain alkanethiolates on gold and other hetats can act as nanometer resrsts by protect ing the support ing metal f rom corrosion by appropr iately formulated etchants: the fabr icat ion of microstructures of gold and si l icon demonstrates the util i ty of patterned SAMs (formed by lrCP) as nm resists. Patterned SAMs formed by 4CP can also control the wettabi l i ty of a surface on the tr r rn scdle. The organizat ion of l iquids in patterned arrays wi th 1rm dimensions, and the patterned eposi t ion of microcrystals and microcrystal r rays i l lustrate the use of control led wet iabi l i tv for microfabr icat ion.