Superhydrophilic–superhydrophobic template : a simple approach to micro- and nanostructure patterning of TiO2 films

• Main Authors: Lai, Yuekun, Huang, Jianying, Gong, Jiaojiao, Huang, Yongxia, Wang, Chenglin, Chen, Zhong, Lin, Changjian
• Other Authors: School of Materials Science & Engineering
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2012
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Materials
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/94150; http://hdl.handle.net/10220/7698
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Vertically aligned TiO2 nanotube (VATN) array micropatterns were fabricated based on a versatile superhydrophilic– superhydrophobic template. Scanning electron microscopy, optical microscopy, and an electron probe microanalyzer were systematically used to confirm the successful fabrication of the dual-scale micro-/nanoscale patterns and characterize their structure and morphology. The fabrication of the VATN patterning employed a simple photocatalytic lithography technique and mild reaction conditions at low temperature in the absence of a photoresist and a harmful chemical catalyst. This large-area dual-scale pattern based on the superhydrophilic–superhydrophobic template is expected to be a promising candidate for many applications in a broad range of scientific and technological areas, such as sensor arrays and optoelectronic devices.