Simple fabrication of patterned gold nanoparticle arrays on functionalized block copolymer thin films

Patterned arrays of gold nanoparticles were fabricated using a simple dipping method that makes use of their specific interactions with nano-domains of carboxylic acid on a block copolymer template. Polystyrene-block-poly(tert-butyl acrylate) on the SU-8 photoresist pattern was selectively transformed to polystyrene-block-poly(acrylic acid). Au nanoparticles are selectively immobilized on the resulting carboxylic acid patterns to produce well-defined patterned Au nanoparticle arrays. This stable and robust template can be used to obtain any patterned nonaggregated metal or inorganic nanoparticle arrays.