Patterning titania with the conventional and modified micromolding in capillaries technique from sol–gel and dispersion solutions

Abstract

We report TiO 2 patterns obtained by a soft-lithographic technique called 'micromolding in capillaries' using sol-gel and dispersion solutions. A comparison between patterning with a sol-gel and dispersion solutions has been performed. The patterns obtained from sol-gel solutions showed good adhesion to the substrate and uniform shapes, but large shrinkage, whereas those obtained from dispersion solution had high solid content, but exhibited poor adhesion and non-uniform shapes. A fabrication method of a layer-by-layer structured pattern is also demonstrated. This type of pattern may find application in sensors, waveguides and other photonics elements. The occurrence of an undesirable residue layer, which hinders the fabrication of isolated patterns, is highlighted and a method of prevention is suggested.

Array of solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells with micropatterned TiO2 nanoparticles for a high-voltage power source

“…In patterning the TNP, several methods such as solvent-assisted soft lithography [ 9 ], micromolding technique in capillaries [ 10 ], and imprint lithography [ 11 ] have been typically employed, but they involve the difficulty of patterning multiple stacks of the TNP and eliminating the residual layer. In other words, these patterning methods are not applicable for constructing relatively thick (a few micrometers) and stable TNP patterns demanded for sufficiently high absorption of light in the DSSCs [ 12 ].…”