Nanoscale Surface Patterning

We present a methodology based on Dip-Pen Nanolithography 1 to fabricate nanoscale surface patterns composed of polyelectrolytes. Two widely used polymers Poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) and Poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) PSS were chosen as the DPN “inks”. Patterns were created and evaluated on silicon oxide surfaces using an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM). To compare the polymer packing and the height of the nanopatterns, additional fabrication was performed using microcontact printing. We were able to generate structures with better polymer packing using DPN and control the height of the polymer structures more reproducibly compared to microcontact printing.