2.3 Patterned Organic and Polymeric Films for Tailored (Bio)Interfaces
29
2.3 Patterned Organic and Polymeric Films for Tailored
(Bio)Interfaces
Controlling the selective immobilization of (bio)molecules in defined positions
of a surface is very important for the development of biosensors and highthroughput biomolecule screening assays. In the development of rapid, robust
screening microarrays, several patterning strategies have been successfully applied.
These comprise, among others, robot-based high-precision contact-printing and
multistep photolithography, as well as more recently selective molecular assembly
patterning, soft lithographic approaches, and scanning probe lithography (dip pen
nanolithography (DPN)).
2.3.1 Microcontact Printing
The microcontact printing (μCP) technique developed by Whitesides et al. [42] is
widely used for the fabrication of monolayer-based micrometer and sub-micrometer
scale patterns. Using μCP one can transfer a variety of molecules with submicrometer resolution to reactive substrates without the need for dust-free environments or harsh chemical treatments. Molecules can be patterned normally through
physical interaction (including electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions), or covalent coupling [43] with the substrate. In applications, such as the development of
certain biosensors, the simplicity of the method, as well as the low cost, flexibility,
and possibility to pattern curved substrates make μCP very attractive.
2.3.1.1 Procedure of Microcontact Printing
μCP is a technique relevant to creating patterned substrates resulting in binarycomponent organic films arranged in simple spatial patterns for the purpose of organized attachment of biomolecules or cells, or to use such printed films as sacrificial layers for complex fabrication of nanoscale materials, to name a few applications [44]. The most commonly used materials as stamp is poly(dimethylsiloxane)
(PDMS). This PDMS stamp is used to transfer molecules of the “ink” to the surface
of the substrate by contact. The patterned organic or polymeric layer can be transferred (Fig. 2.17) [45]. Binary-component films are then formed by backfilling the
non-patterned areas with a different adsorbate.
The μCP technique is attractive because it is inherently rapid and can be
performed in parallel, i.e., many features can be printed simultaneously with one
stamp application.
29
2.3 Patterned Organic and Polymeric Films for Tailored
(Bio)Interfaces
Controlling the selective immobilization of (bio)molecules in defined positions
of a surface is very important for the development of biosensors and highthroughput biomolecule screening assays. In the development of rapid, robust
screening microarrays, several patterning strategies have been successfully applied.
These comprise, among others, robot-based high-precision contact-printing and
multistep photolithography, as well as more recently selective molecular assembly
patterning, soft lithographic approaches, and scanning probe lithography (dip pen
nanolithography (DPN)).
2.3.1 Microcontact Printing
The microcontact printing (μCP) technique developed by Whitesides et al. [42] is
widely used for the fabrication of monolayer-based micrometer and sub-micrometer
scale patterns. Using μCP one can transfer a variety of molecules with submicrometer resolution to reactive substrates without the need for dust-free environments or harsh chemical treatments. Molecules can be patterned normally through
physical interaction (including electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions), or covalent coupling [43] with the substrate. In applications, such as the development of
certain biosensors, the simplicity of the method, as well as the low cost, flexibility,
and possibility to pattern curved substrates make μCP very attractive.
2.3.1.1 Procedure of Microcontact Printing
μCP is a technique relevant to creating patterned substrates resulting in binarycomponent organic films arranged in simple spatial patterns for the purpose of organized attachment of biomolecules or cells, or to use such printed films as sacrificial layers for complex fabrication of nanoscale materials, to name a few applications [44]. The most commonly used materials as stamp is poly(dimethylsiloxane)
(PDMS). This PDMS stamp is used to transfer molecules of the “ink” to the surface
of the substrate by contact. The patterned organic or polymeric layer can be transferred (Fig. 2.17) [45]. Binary-component films are then formed by backfilling the
non-patterned areas with a different adsorbate.
The μCP technique is attractive because it is inherently rapid and can be
performed in parallel, i.e., many features can be printed simultaneously with one
stamp application.