Gray-level patterning of gold nanoparticles with scanning probe lithography of self-assembly monolayer

In this paper, a new approach is introduced for gray-level deposition of colloidal gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) onto the surface of self-assembled monolayer (SAM) patterned by the scanning probe lithography (SPL). Patterning of N-(2-aminoethyl)-3-amino-propyltrimethoxysilane (AEAPTMS) SAM is realized by local filed-induced decomposition of SAMs using SPL on the thin SiO₂ surface. In this study, different distribution densities of AuNPs deposition were successfully demonstrated by SPL electrical-field-induced chemical bond decomposing. Black and white gray-level photograph was represented by the image of different densities of AuNPs generated by the proposed technique.