Preparation, Properties, and Bioapplications of Block Copolymer Nanopatterns

Abstract

Block copolymer (BCP) self‐assembly has emerged as a feasible method for large‐scale fabrication with remarkable precision – features that are not common for most of the nanofabrication techniques. In this review, we present recent advancements in the molecular design of BCP along with state‐of‐the‐art processing methodologies based on microphase separation alone or its combination with different lithography methods. Furthermore, we explore the bioapplications of the generated nanopatterns in the development of protein arrays, cell‐selective surfaces, and antibacterial coatings. Finally, we outline the current challenges in the field and discuss the potential breakthroughs that can be achieved by adopting BCP approaches already applied in the fabrication electronic devices.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

Advances in lithographic techniques for precision nanostructure fabrication in biomedical applications

“…BCL in the medical sector is limited to the use of biocompatible block copolymers. Comprehensive research and understanding of the interactions between these polymers, along with the optimisation of conditions such as temperature, are essential to generate reproducible high-resolution patterns with minimal defects for biomedical applications [ 204 , 205 ].…”

Self-Assembled Block Copolymers as a Facile Pathway to Create Functional Nanobiosensor and Nanobiomaterial Surfaces

“…Although there exist lithographic tools of higher spatial resolution such as electron-beam lithography [26][27][28], scanning probebased lithography [29,30] and nanoimprint lithography [31,32], the involvement of these procedures can lead to an even slower fabrication process and a higher production cost. Hence, alternative approaches based on self-assembly have emerged to create nanoscopic patterns of individually addressable biosensor surfaces and nanoscale bioreactors in simple steps [17,[33][34][35][36][37][38][39].…”

“…The size and shape of these nanopatterns that can be controlled thermodynamically and kinetically have also been mapped out for many BCPs. As such, nanoscale BCP surface patterns have extensively been utilized as templates to organize inorganic nanomaterials in BCP lithography [33,34,42,49,[66][67][68][69][70][71][72][73][74]. The first attempt to use BCP nanopatterns for assembling biomolecules such as proteins was undertaken in mid 2000s [75].…”

Constructing a Comprehensive Nanopattern Library through Morphological Transitions of Block Copolymer Surface Micelles via Direct Solvent Immersion

“…Accordingly, a bottom-up approach utilizing BCPs has emerged to overcome these limitations and has been recognized as a facile and versatile method for the fabrication of diverse nanostructures. [17,18] While the generation of the basic structures with BCPs has been extensively explored first aiming for a potential application to the area of semiconductor industry, more complex and versatile nanopatterns obtained with BCPs can be applied to various fields of application such as nanolithography, [19][20][21] catalyst, [22] electronics, [23][24][25] membranes, [26] plasmonics, [27][28][29] and photonics. [16,[30][31][32] Toward more versatile and diverse nanofabrication, employing solvent interactions in BCP self-assembly can be an effective strategy to fabricate BCP nanostructures of greater structural complexity.…”