Nanostructured biointerfaces

Colloidal lithography is used to create nanostructured interfaces suitable for studying and interacting with cellular biosystems. Large areas of patterned surface can be produced. We investigate the use of plasma etching for transfer of the pattern of individual colloidal particles into the substrates to create short-range ordered arrays of topographic and/or chemical nanostructures. Colloidal masks perform differently to traditional photoresist masks and local redeposition of material around the particle has significant impact on the resultant structures. The colloidal particles can be reshaped to allow the fabrication of flat-topped structures. Topographic and chemical nanostructures can be used to template the self assembly of macromolecules. The phase separation of thin films of PS-PMMA symmetric block copolymers above nanostructure sites is aligned at the surface nanostructure by topographic features. PLL-PEG assembly at alkanethiol-modified nanoscale chemical patterns of gold/silicon allows the production of nanoscale protein patterns. Patterns of ferritin 100 nm in diameter are demonstrated.