title: Local surface charges direct the deposition of carbon nanotubes and fullerenes into nanoscale patterns.
abstract: This article reports on the directed deposition of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and fullerenes onto solid surfaces using local electrostatic fields. Arbitrary patterns of local surface charges are created by charge writing with an atomic force microscope. During the subsequent development of the sample in an aqueous suspension containing surfactant-stabilized CNTs or fullerenes, Coulomb attraction guides the positioning and alignment of these particles onto the charge patterns. The surface potential of the charge patterns provides a direct control over the particle attachment. CNTs and fullerenes precisely reproduce the charge patterns, yielding structures with a lateral resolution down to the particle diameter.
authors.affiliation: Nanotechnology Group, ETH Zurich, Tannenstrasse 3, CH-8092 Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Livia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Seemann
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stemmer
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Naujoks
mesh_terms: D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods*; D004595:Electroplating / Q000379:methods*; D037741:Fullerenes / Q000737:chemistry*; D046911:Macromolecular Substances / Q000737:chemistry; D008422:Materials Testing; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010316:Particle Size; D055672:Static Electricity; D013499:Surface Properties; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D037741:Fullerenes; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D013501:Surface-Active Agents