Fabrication of polystyrene latex nanostructures by nanomanipulation and thermal processing.
The capability to fabricate nanoscale structures is a fundamental step toward realizing the promise and potential of nanotechnology. We report on precise manipulation and thermal processing using 100-nm polystyrene latex nanoparticles. This approach is illustrated by fabricating a three-dimensional nanostructure by using an AFM tip to position nanoparticles and then thermally processing to "sinter" the particles to form a contiguous, stable structure. We suggest that this is a general approach, but the use of polystyrene latex particles offers an advantage of low-temperature processing. Use of polystyrene latex also extends the range of materials for which we have demonstrated manipulation and suggests applications including fluorescent doping and electrically conducting polymers.
Harel
Elad
E
Laboratory for Molecular Robotics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0482, USA.
Meltzer
Sheffer E
SE
Requicha
Aristides A G
AA
Thompson
Mark E
ME
Koel
Bruce E
BE
D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods*; D006358:Hot Temperature; D007840:Latex / Q000737:chemistry*; D008422:Materials Testing; D008846:Micromanipulation / Q000379:methods*; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force / Q000379:methods*; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D010316:Particle Size; D011137:Polystyrenes / Q000737:chemistry*
D007840:Latex; D011137:Polystyrenes