Fabrication of Nanoshell-Based 3D Periodic Structures by Templating Process using Solution-derived ZnO

Abstract

Fabrication methods for a 3D periodic nanostructure with excellent and unique properties for various applications, such as photonic and phononic crystals, have attracted considerable interest. Templating processes using colloidal crystals have been proposed to create nanoshell-based 3D structures over a large area with ease. However, there are technical limitations in structural design, resulting in difficulties for structural flexibility. Here, we demonstrate a combination of proximity field nanopatterning and infiltration processes using solution-derived ZnO for a nanoshell-based 3D periodic structure with high structural flexibility and controllability. A unique process of infiltration of a solution-derived material into a polymeric template prepared by a proximity field nanopatterning process achieves the fabrication of a pre-formed layer that works as a protective layer for the template and framework for the inverse structure. Subsequently, this process shows the controllability of nanoshell thickness and significant improvement in the structure height shrinkage factor (16%) compared to those of a previous non-vacuum infiltration method (34%). The proposed method offers high controllability and flexibility in the design of structural sizes, leading to further development toward nanoshell-based 3D structures for various applications including energy devices and sensors.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s11671-017-2186-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

High‐Contrast Optical Modulation from Strain‐Induced Nanogaps at 3D Heterogeneous Interfaces

“…Then, Al 2 O 3 (≈60 nm) is conformally deposited on the surface of the 3D PDMS via atomic layer deposition (ALD) after its surface has been modified to be hydrophilic through UV/ozone treatment (Figure S1, Supporting Information). [22,[26][27][28][29][30][31][32] The size reduction of the pores in the 3D nanostructure proves the successful coating of the PDMS with the Al S3, Supporting Information). However, the sample becomes highly transparent (≈90% at 600 nm) once the interstitial pores have been filled with index-matched PDMS (n PDMS ≈ 1.4) (Figure 1e).…”

Fabrication of Transparent Polymer Optical Device Combined with Selective Visible‐Light Transmission and Zero‐Birefringence

“…[23,24] However, the greatest obstacle for 3D PC fabricated via the overall approaches to industrial-scale production and commercialization is their poor mechanical performance (the magnitude of stress reaches less than 2 MPa), [25] especially polymer materials. [16,26] Most importantly, the urgent problem is how to use photonic crystal nanospheres to assemble large area optical transparent devices. Therefore, an approach is urgently needed that is suitable for large-scale, low-cost fabrication of transparent zero-birefringence optical devices with excellent mechanical characteristics, particularly, optical performances, such as no birefringence, nonorientation, no residual stress, and high transparency.…”

Effect of Surface Scattering of Electrons on Ratios of Optical Absorption and Scattering to Extinction of Gold Nanoshell

“…The reason why ratios of scattering and absorption but not their absolute values are of concern is that decrease in absolute values of scattering and absorption can be compensated by having more particles attached to the target tissue or cells. Application of metallic nanoparticle’s resonant light scattering in transparent projection screen [ 22 – 25 ], and in photovoltaics [ 26 – 30 ], also requires simultaneous high scattering and low absorption ratios at the desired wavelength range. What is more, gold metamaterials also require gold to be of the form of thin film, which can achieve high optical absorption as light absorber [ 31 , 32 ], or high transmittance as transparent conducting film [ 33 – 36 ], and thus, conduction electrons’ surface scattering effect plays a role too.…”