Catalyst-free site-specific surface modifications of nanocrystalline diamond films via microchannel cantilever spotting

The properties of nanocrystalline diamond (NCD) films offer great potential for the creation of various sensing and photonic devices. A great challenge in order to materialize such applications lies in achieving the micrometrically resolved functionalization of NCD surfaces. In the present work, we introduce a facile approach to meet this challenge employing the novel strain-promoted alkyne–azide cycloaddition “click” chemistry reaction, a catalyst-free ligation protocol compatible with biomolecules. The ability to achieve well-resolved multicomponent patterns with high reproducibility is demonstrated, paving the way for the fabrication of novel devices based on micropatterned NCD films.