Nanostructures from Laser-Ablated Nanohole Templates
Solution casting a nanostructure. Preparing a template by ablating nanoholes in a substrate using single-femtosecond laser machining. Replicating the nanoholes by applying a solution of a polymer and a solvent into the template. After the solvent has substantially dissipated, removing the replica from the substrate.
1 . A method for solution casting a nanostructure, the method comprising:
preparing a template by ablating nanoholes in a substrate using single-femtosecond laser machining;
replicating the nanoholes by applying a solution of a polymer and a solvent into the template; and
after the solvent has substantially dissipated, removing the replica from the substrate.
2 . The method of claim 1 wherein the polymer solution comprises one of: cellulose acetate in acetone, polycaprolactone (PCL) in chloroform, PCL-polyethylene glycol in chloroform, polydimethylsiloxane in heptane, polymethylmethacrylate in toluene, polyvinyl alcohol in de-ionized water, and collodion in amyl acetate.
3 . The method of claim 1 wherein the polymer is capable of forming a continuous film.
4 . The method of claim 3 wherein the polymer is capable of forming a continuous film through the application of external energy.
5 . The method of claim 2 wherein the polymer solution comprises a two percent (2%) solution by weight of one of: cellulose acetate in acetone, polycaprolactone (PCL) in chloroform, PCL-polyethylene glycol in chloroform, and collodion in amyl acetate.
6 . The method of claim 2 wherein the polymer solution comprises a solution between two percent (2%) and ten percent (10%) by weight of cellulose acetate in acetone.
7 . The method of claim 2 wherein the polymer solution comprises a twenty five percent (25%) solution by weight of polydimethylsiloxane in heptane.
8 . The method of claim 2 wherein the polymer solution comprises a solution between five percent (5%) and ten percent (10%) by weight of polymethylmethacrylate in toluene.
9 . The method of claim 2 wherein the polymer solution comprises a five percent (5%) solution by weight of polyvinyl alcohol in de-ionized water.
10 . The method of claim 1 further comprising:
prior to applying a solution of a polymer and a solvent into the template, applying a fluorocarbon-based antistick coating to the template.
11 . The method of claim 10 wherein:
the fluorocarbon-based antistick coating is prepared from perfluorodecyltrichlorosilane.
12 . A method for casting a nanostructure, the method comprising:
preparing a template by ablating nanoholes in a substrate using single-femtosecond laser machining;
replicating the nanoholes by applying a polymer resin into the template; and
after the resin has set, removing the replica from the substrate
13 . A method for solution casting a nanostructure, the method comprising:
preparing a template by ablating nanoholes in a substrate using single-femtosecond laser machining;
replicating the nanoholes by casting a solution of a polyethylene and a solvent into the template;
after the solvent has substantially dissipated, melting the polyethylene as cast in the template;
cooling the melted polyethylene as cast in the template to room temperature; and
removing the cooled polyethylene replica from the substrate.
14 . The method of claim 13 wherein the polymer solution comprises ten percent (10%) solution by weight of polyethylene in toluene.
15 . The method of claim 13 wherein
melting comprises heating to about one hundred fifty five (155) degrees Celsius for about two (2) minutes; and
cooling comprises cooling at room temperature for at least about two (2) hours.
16 . The nanostructure produced by the method of any one of claim 1 , claim 12 , and claim 13 .