Fabrication of switchable biocompatible, nano-fluidic devices using a thermoresponsive polymer on nano-patterned surfaces

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Ch Bickmann - , Chemnitz University of Technology (Author)
  • Ch Meinecke - , Chemnitz University of Technology, Fraunhofer Institute for Electronic Nano Systems (Author)
  • T. Korten - , Clusters of Excellence PoL: Physics of Life, Core Facility Bio-image Analysis (Author)
  • H. Sekulla - , Chair of Macromolecular Chemistry (Author)
  • Ch Helke - , Chemnitz University of Technology, Fraunhofer Institute for Electronic Nano Systems (Author)
  • Th Blaudeck - , Chemnitz University of Technology, Fraunhofer Institute for Electronic Nano Systems (Author)
  • D. Reuter - , Chemnitz University of Technology, Fraunhofer Institute for Electronic Nano Systems (Author)
  • St E. Schulz - , Fraunhofer Institute for Electronic Nano Systems (Author)

Abstract

In this study, a method for depositing and patterning the thermosensitive polymer poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) on SiO2 surfaces is presented for potential use in nano-sized microfluidic channels. Two approaches based on nanolithographic processes are shown for this purpose. In both cases, a self-assembling monolayer consisting of (3-aminopropyl)-dimethylethoxysilane was bound to the hydroxyl group of the substrate surface and subsequently functionalized with the polymerization initiator α-bromoisobutyryl bromide. In the first approach the silane monolayer itself was patterned using a photoresist and a lift-off process, followed by the selective deposition of the initiator, which starts a substrate-induced atom transfer radical polymerization for the growth of polymer on the silane monolayer. In the second approach, the lift-off takes place after the polymerization on the substrate surface. The result of this study shows the successful application of the process steps for the nano-dimensioned grafting of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) onto SiO2 substrates. The reaction time of the silane monolayer with the polymerization initiator and the composition of the reaction solution used were found to have the greatest influence of the processes. AFM and XPS analysis of the functionalized surfaces revealed patterned growth of both the self-assembling monolayer and the polymer structures.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number100265
JournalMicro and Nano Engineering
Volume23
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2024
Peer-reviewedYes

Keywords

Keywords

  • APDMES, Lift-off, Microfluidics, Photolithography, PNIPAM, Thermoresponsive polymer