Molecular transfer printing using block copolymers
AssigneeWisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
InventorsPaul Franklin Nealey, Shengxiang Ji
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Abstract
Methods of creating and transferring chemical patterns and physical patterns of deposited materials or molecules using block copolymers are provided. The methods involve providing block copolymer materials blended with one or more transfer molecules or inks. The differences in chemistry of the blocks of the copolymer that result in micro-phase separation (e.g., self-assembly into nanoscale domains) also allow inks to be sequestered into specific blocks. By designing the ink molecules to react, adsorb, or otherwise interact with a second substrate, inks are transferred to the second substrate in a pattern dictated by the pattern of block copolymer domains present at the surface of the block copolymer film.
Claims23
A method of printing a chemical pattern on a substrate comprising:
- providing a block copolymer/ink blend film, said blend film comprising microphase-separated domains of a block copolymer material and one or more inks preferentially segregated in at least one of the domains of the block copolymer material;
- and
- transferring at least one ink of the one or more inks to a transferee substrate to thereby print a chemical pattern on the transferee substrate, wherein the chemical pattern is defined by the microphase-separated domains of the block copolymer material at a surface of the blend film.
A method of generating a replica of a chemical pattern, comprising:
- providing a first substrate having a master template comprising domains of a microphase-separated block copolymer material and one or more inks preferentially segregated in at least one of the domains of the block copolymer material;
- transferring at least one ink of the one or more inks to a transferee substrate to thereby print a chemical pattern on a transferee substrate, wherein the chemical pattern is defined by the microphase-separated domains of the block copolymer material at a surface of the blend film;
- and
- directing assembly of a block copolymer film on the transferee substrate based on the chemical pattern printed thereon to thereby form a replica of the master template.
A method of printing a chemical pattern on a substrate comprising:
- providing a polymer/ink blend film, said blend film comprising a domain-separated polymer material and one or more inks preferentially segregated in at least one of the domains of the polymer material;
- and
- transferring at least one ink of the one or more inks to a transferee substrate to thereby print a chemical pattern on the transferee substrate, wherein the chemical pattern is defined by the separated domains of the polymer material at a surface of the blend film.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.