Micropatterning through reverse self-assembly using photolithographically produced templates

Selective self-assembly properties of the thio and methoxy functional groups are utilized to micropattern (3-mercaptopropyl) trimethoxysilane molecules on a gold coated glass target starting with a nano-structured silicon grating template. Further modifications of the target surface are introduced by self-assembled monolayers of mercaptoacetic acid sodium salt molecules. The anisotropy in reflection properties is observed from the spectroscopic ellipsometric measurements in relation to the orientation of the plane of incidence. Conformations of spun adenine base and zinc oxide nanocomposite films on the gold substrate are found to depend upon its surface modifications due to the self-assembled monolayer.