title: Unconventional tailorable patterning by solvent-assisted surface-tension-driven lithography.
abstract: Unconventional nanopatterning methods are emerging as powerful tools for the development of controlled shapes and ordered morphology of nanostructured materials with novel properties and tailorable functions. Here, we report a simple yet straightforward and efficient approach for patterning through unconventional dewetting that involves surface tension driven process. Using this innovative approach, we have successfully demonstrated to be able to prepare surface micro-patterns over large areas deposited through Eu(3+):TiO2 nanoparticles providing rational control over the local nucleation of nanoparticles. Remarkably, these features could be addressed by polar or apolar solvents, suggesting potential applications in bottom-up nanodevices. This paper represents the first such attempt to create an inorganic materials non-lithographic template for the directed deposition of Eu(3+):TiO2 or related metal oxides. The technique, which is driven by the unique chemical properties and geometrical layout of the underlying patterned micrometer-sized templates, enables the construction of micro- and nano-structuration of dispersed inorganic functional materials suitable for electrooptical and photonic applications.
authors: Institute for the Study of Nanostructured Materials, ISMN-CNR, 00016 Monterotondo Stazione, Roma, Italy.
authors: Roberta Grazia
authors: RG
authors: Toro
authors: Institute for the Study of Nanostructured Materials, ISMN-CNR, 00016 Monterotondo Stazione, Roma, Italy.
authors: Daniela
authors: D
authors: Caschera
authors: National Nanotechnology Laboratory-Institute Nanoscience-CNR (NNL-CNR NANO), via Arnesano, 73100 Lecce, Italy.
authors: Ilaria Elena
authors: IE
authors: Palamà
authors: National Nanotechnology Laboratory-Institute Nanoscience-CNR (NNL-CNR NANO), via Arnesano, 73100 Lecce, Italy.
authors: Stefania
authors: S
authors: D'Amone
authors: National Nanotechnology Laboratory-Institute Nanoscience-CNR (NNL-CNR NANO), via Arnesano, 73100 Lecce, Italy; Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Roma, Italy; Department of Physics, University Sapienza, P. le A. Moro 2, 00185 Rome, Italy.
authors: Mariano
authors: M
authors: Biasiucci
authors: Institute for the Study of Nanostructured Materials, ISMN-CNR, 00016 Monterotondo Stazione, Roma, Italy.
authors: Fulvio
authors: F
authors: Federici
authors: National Nanotechnology Laboratory-Institute Nanoscience-CNR (NNL-CNR NANO), via Arnesano, 73100 Lecce, Italy; Center for Biomolecular Nanotechnologies (CNB) of Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), Lecce, Italy; Department of Mathematics and Physics, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy.
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Gigli
authors: National Nanotechnology Laboratory-Institute Nanoscience-CNR (NNL-CNR NANO), via Arnesano, 73100 Lecce, Italy; Department of Physics, University Sapienza, P. le A. Moro 2, 00185 Rome, Italy. Electronic address: barbara.cortese@nano.cnr.it.
authors: Barbara
authors: B
authors: Cortese
mesh_terms: D005063:Europium / Q000737:chemistry*; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry*; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties; D013500:Surface Tension; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D012997:Solvents; C009495:titanium dioxide; D005063:Europium; D014025:Titanium
keywords: Dewetting; Doped TiO(2); Europium(III); Luminescence; Patterning; Self-assembly; Strategy; Titanium dioxide