Near-zero surface pressure assembly of rectangular lattices of microgels at fluid interfaces for colloidal lithography.

Fernandez-Rodriguez, Miguel Angel; Antonopoulou, Maria-Nefeli; Isa, Lucio · Soft Matter · 2021

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Understanding and engineering the self-assembly of soft colloidal particles (microgels) at liquid-liquid interfaces is broadening their use in colloidal lithography. Here, we present a new route to assemble rectangular lattices of microgels at near zero surface pressure relying on the balance between attractive quadrupolar capillary interactions and steric repulsion among the particles at water/oil interfaces. These self-assembled rectangular lattices are obtained for a broad range of particles and, after deposition, can be used as lithography masks to obtain regular arrays of vertically aligned nanowires via wet and dry etching processes.