Ordered hexagonal array of Au nanodots on Si substrate based on colloidal crystal templating

Electrostatic force microscopy for the accurate characterization of interphases in nanocomposites

The unusual properties of nanocomposites are commonly explained by the structure of their interphase. Therefore, these nanoscale interphase regions need to be precisely characterized; however, the existing high resolution experimental methods have not been reliably adapted to this purpose. Electrostatic force microscopy (EFM) represents a promising technique to fulfill this objective, although no complete and accurate interphase study has been published to date and EFM signal interpretation is not straightforward. The aim of this work was to establish accurate EFM signal analysis methods to investigate interphases in nanodielectrics using three experimental protocols. Samples with well-known, controllable properties were designed and synthesized to electrostatically model nanodielectrics with the aim of "calibrating" the EFM technique for future interphase studies. EFM was demonstrated to be able to discriminate between alumina and silicon dioxide interphase layers of 50 and 100 nm thickness deposited over polystyrene spheres and different types of matrix materials. Consistent permittivity values were also deduced by comparison of experimental data and numerical simulations, as well as the interface state of silicone dioxide layers.

Large patternable metal nanoparticle sheets by photo/e-beam lithography

Techniques for micro/nano-scale patterning of large metal nanoparticle sheets can potentially be used to realize high-performance photoelectronic devices because the sheets provide greatly enhanced electrical fields around the nanoparticles due to localized surface plasmon resonances. However, no single metal nanoparticle sheet currently exists with sufficient durability for conventional lithographical processes. Here, we report large photo and/or e-beam lithographic patternable metal nanoparticle sheets with improved durability by incorporating molecular cross-linked structures between nanoparticles. The cross-linked structures were easily formed by a one-step chemical reaction; immersing a single nanoparticle sheet consisting of core metals, to which capping molecules ionically bond, in a dithiol ethanol solution. The ligand exchange reaction processes were discussed in detail, and we demonstrated 20 μm wide line and space patterns, and a 170 nm wide line of the silver nanoparticle sheets.

Characterization of Dielectric Nanocomposites with Electrostatic Force Microscopy

Nanocomposites physical properties unexplainable by general mixture laws are usually supposed to be related to interphases, highly present at the nanoscale. The intrinsic dielectric constant of the interphase and its volume need to be considered in the prediction of the effective permittivity of nanodielectrics, for example. The electrostatic force microscope (EFM) constitutes a promising technique to probe interphases locally. This work reports theoretical finite-elements simulations and experimental measurements to interpret EFM signals in front of nanocomposites with the aim of detecting and characterizing interphases. According to simulations, we designed and synthesized appropriate samples to verify experimentally the ability of EFM to characterize a nanoshell covering nanoparticles, for different shell thicknesses. This type of samples constitutes a simplified electrostatic model of a nanodielectric. Experiments were conducted using either DC or AC-EFM polarization, with force gradient detection method. A comparison between our numerical model and experimental results was performed in order to validate our predictions for general EFM-interphase interactions.

Fabrication of metallic nanodisc hexagonal arrays using nanosphere lithography and two-step lift-off

Nanosphere lithography (NSL) has been widely used as an inexpensive method to create periodic arrays of metallic nanoparticles or nanodiscs on substrates. However, most nanodisc arrays derived from a NSL template are restricted to hexagonally-ordered triangular arrays because the metal layer is deposited onto the interstices between the nanospheres. Metallic nanodisc arrays with the same arrangement as the original nanosphere array have been rarely reported. Here, we demonstrate a facile, low-cost method to fabricate large-area hexagonal arrays of metallic nanodiscs using an NSL template combined with a two-step lift-off process. We employ a bi-layer of two dissimilar metals to create a re-entrant sidewall profile to undercut the sacrificial layer and facilitate the final lift-off of the metallic nanodiscs. The quality of the nanodisc pattern and the array periodicity is determined using statistical image analysis and compared to the original nanosphere array in terms of size distribution, surface smoothness, and array pitch. This nanodisc array is used as an etch mask to create a vertically-aligned Si nanowire array. This combined approach is a scalable and inexpensive fabrication method for creating relatively large-area, ordered arrays of various nanostructures.

Control of the spatial distribution and crystal orientation of self-organized Au nanoparticles

Ordered, two-dimensional, self-organized Au nanoparticles were fabricated using radiofrequency (RF) magnetron sputtering. The particles were uniformly spherical in shape and ultrafine in size (3-7 nm) and showed an ultrahigh density in the order of ∼10(12) inch(-2). A custom-developed sputtering apparatus that employs low sputtering power density and a minimized sputtering time (1 min) was used to markedly simplify the preparation conditions for Au nanoparticle fabrication. The spatial distribution of Au nanoparticles was rigorously controlled by placing a Ta interfacial layer between the Au nanoparticles and substrate as well as by post-annealing samples in an Ar atmosphere after the formation of Au nanoparticles. The interfacial layer and the post-annealing step caused approximately 40% of the Au nanoparticles on the substrate surface to orient in the (111) direction. This method was shown to produce ultrafine Au nanoparticles showing an ultrahigh surface density. The crystal orientation of the nanoparticles can be precisely controlled with respect to the substrate surface. Therefore, this technique promises to deliver tunable nanostructures for applications in the field of high-performance electronic devices.

Low-cost fabrication technologies for nanostructures: state-of-the-art and potential

In the last decade, some low-cost nanofabrication technologies used in several disciplines of nanotechnology have demonstrated promising results in terms of versatility and scalability for producing innovative nanostructures. While conventional nanofabrication technologies such as photolithography are and will be an important part of nanofabrication, some low-cost nanofabrication technologies have demonstrated outstanding capabilities for large-scale production, providing high throughputs with acceptable resolution and broad versatility. Some of these nanotechnological approaches are reviewed in this article, providing information about the fundamentals, limitations and potential future developments towards nanofabrication processes capable of producing a broad range of nanostructures. Furthermore, in many cases, these low-cost nanofabrication approaches can be combined with traditional nanofabrication technologies. This combination is considered a promising way of generating innovative nanostructures suitable for a broad range of applications such as in opto-electronics, nano-electronics, photonics, sensing, biotechnology or medicine.

Diffuse scattering from hemispherical nanoparticles at the air-silicon interface

There has been much recent interest in the application of plasmonics to improve the efficiency of silicon solar cells. In this paper we use finite difference time domain calculations to investigate the placement of hemispherical gold nanoparticles on the rear surface of a silicon solar cell. The results indicate that nanoparticles protruding into the silicon, rather than into air, have a larger scattering efficiency and diffuse scattering into the semiconductor. This finding could lead to improved light trapping within a thin silicon solar cell device.

Adhesion control for micro- and nanomanipulation

The adhesion between a micro/nano-object and a microgripper end-effector is an important problem in micromanipulation. Canceling or reducing this force is a great challenge. This force is directly linked to the surface chemical structure of the object and the gripper. We propose to predict this force between a structuring surface and a micro-object with a multisphere van der Waals force model. The surface was structured by polystyrene latex particles (PS particles) with radii from 35 to 2000 nm. The model was compared with experimental pull-off force measurements performed by AFM with different natures of spheres materials glued on the tipless. A wide range of applications, in the field of telecommunications, bioengineering, and more generaly speaking MEMS can be envisaged for these substrates.

The fabrication of metal silicide nanodot arrays using localized ion implantation

We propose a process for fabricating nanodot arrays with a pitch size of less than 25 nm. The process consists of localized ion implantation in a metal thin film on a Si wafer using a focused ion beam (FIB), followed by chemical etching. This process utilizes the etching resistivity changes of the ion beam irradiated region that result from metal silicide formation by ion implantation. To control the nanodot diameter, a threshold ion dose model is proposed using the Gaussian distribution of the ion beam intensities. The process is verified by fabricating nanodots with various diameters. The mechanism of etching resistivity is investigated via x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES).

Simple synthetic route for SERS-active gold nanoparticles substrate with controlled shape and organization

We report a simple synthetic route based on electroless deposition (galvanic displacement) and natural lithography to simultaneously control the shape and organization of Au nanoparticles (NPs). We show for the first time the formation of organized extended domains of Au nanoflowers and nanocrowns with single crystalline tips. The dimension and morphology of the desired nanostructures (NSs) can be tuned easily by controlling the deposition conditions at room temperature using saccharin as an organic additive. The exact role of saccharin on the crystal growth process of Au NPs is also discussed. A systematic surface enhancement Raman spectroscopy (SERS) study of large, ordered areas of organized gold nanoflowers using p-mercaptoaniline (pMA) as the probe molecule shows massive and reproducible enhancements of the Raman signal. By comparing the relative enhancement of the different vibrational modes as a function of the morphology, the specific charge-transfer (chemical effect) SERS mechanism can be distinguished from the general electromagnetic field enhancement (physical effect). A wide range of applications can be envisaged for these SERS substrates.

Reducing the adhesion between surfaces using surface structuring with PS latex particle

The adhesion between a micro-object and a microgripper end-effector is an important problem in micromanipulation. Canceling or reducing this force is a great challenge. This force is directly linked to the surface chemical structure of the object and the gripper. We propose to reduce the adhesion force by using a self-assembled monolayer structuring on one surface. The surface was structured by polystyrene latex particles (PS particles) with radii from 100 to 1500 nm. The adhesion force measurements obtained by AFM were compared to a multisphere van der Waals force model. The model suggests the existence of an optimal value of the sphere radius which minimizes the adhesion. In that case, the pull-off force is reduced to 20 nN by the PS particles layer with a radius of 45 nm. A wide range of applications in the field of telecommunications, bioengineering, and more generally speaking, MEMS can be envisaged for these substrates.

Compression of freestanding gold nanostructures: from stochastic yield to predictable flow

Characterizing the mechanical response of isolated nanostructures is vitally important to fields such as microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) where the behaviour of nanoscale contacts can in large part determine system reliability and lifetime. To address this challenge directly, single crystal gold nanodots are compressed inside a high resolution scanning electron microscope (SEM) using a nanoindenter equipped with a flat punch tip. These structures load elastically, and then yield in a stochastic manner, at loads ranging from 16 to 110 microN, which is up to five times higher than the load necessary for flow after yield. Yielding is immediately followed by displacement bursts equivalent to 1-50% of the initial height, depending on the yield point. During the largest displacement bursts, strain energy within the structure is released while new surface area is created in the form of localized slip bands, which are evident in both the SEM movies and still-images. A first order estimate of the apparent energy release rate, in terms of fracture mechanics concepts, for bursts representing 5-50% of the structure's initial height is on the order of 10-100 J m(-2), which is approximately two orders of magnitude lower than bulk values. Once this initial strain burst during yielding has occurred, the structures flow in a ductile way. The implications of this behaviour, which is analogous to a brittle to ductile transition, are discussed with respect to mechanical reliability at the micro- and nanoscales.

Extended domains of organized nanorings of silver grains as surface-enhanced Raman scattering sensors for molecular detection

The possibility to synthesize large areas of silver grains organized in nanorings using a simple technique based on nanosphere lithography and electroless plating as a metal deposition method is described for the first time. In addition, we present a systematic SERS study of the obtained long-range ordered silver nanodots and nanorings. The possibility to precisely control the size, the interdistance and the morphology of these nanostructures allows us to systematically investigate the influence of these parameters on SERS. We show that the best possible SERS substrates should not only present optimal sizes, interdistances and shapes, but also a grain-like structure composed of sub-100 nm grains in order to maximize the number of hot-spots. In addition, we show that grains arranged in nanorings present higher enhancement factors (E(F) = 5.5 x 10(5)) as compared to similar arrays made of nanodots. A wide range of applications, including real-time monitoring of catalytic surface reactions, environmental and security monitoring as well as clinical and pharmaceutical screening, can be envisaged for these SERS substrates.