Harnessing catalysis to enhance scanning probe nanolithography

Abstract

The use of scanning probes bearing catalysts to perform surface nanolithography combines the exquisite spatial precision of scanning probe microscopy with the synthetic capabilities of (bio)chemical catalysis. The ability to use these probes to direct a variety of localised chemical reactions enables the generation of nanoscale features with a high degree of chemical complexity in a "direct-write" manner. This article surveys the range of reactions that have been employed and the key factors necessary for the successful use of such catalytic scanning probes. These factors include the experimental parameters such as write speed, force applied to the probes and temperature; as well as the processes involved in the preparation of the catalysts on the probes and the surface that is to be fabricated. Where possible, the various reactions are also compared and contrasted; and future perspectives are discussed.

Large-area Scanning Probe Nanolithography Facilitated by Automated Alignment and Its Application to Substrate Fabrication for Cell Culture Studies

“…While this protocol demonstrates the application of this alignment procedure to PPL, the framework could be applied to a number of SPL techniques such as lipid-DPN 26 and matrix-assisted lithography 27 as well as potential future catalytic probe systems. 28 …”

Large-area scanning probe nanolithography facilitated by automated alignment of probe arrays

“…30 As such, it will be applicable to any future development of scanning probe-based universal "desk-top fab" systems, and opens the possibility for the larger scale application of SPL in manufacturing. Indeed, this automated alignment now rmly places the rate-limiting step of the write cycle with the nanolithography operation itself.…”

Development of Dip‐Pen Nanolithography (DPN) and Its Derivatives

“…Another interesting approach of using tip‐based lithography is the catalytic scanning probe lithography (cSPL) . Here, either heat (similar to tDPN) or tip‐anchored catalysts are used to induce highly localized chemical reactions on a surface.…”

“…Another interesting approach of using tip-based lithography is the catalytic scanning probe lithography (cSPL). [89] Here, either heat (similar to tDPN) or tip-anchored catalysts are used to induce highly localized chemical reactions on a surface. This was first demonstrated for metalized tips as catalyst (e.g., Pt, [90] Pd, [91] or Cu [92] ), but quickly expanded to (bio-)catalyst attached to tips (e.g., enzymes like Staphylococcal serine V8 protease, [93] alkaline phosphatase, [94] or horseradish peroxidase (HRP) [95] ).…”