Novel bottom-up sub-micron architectures for advanced functional devices

Busa, Chiara (2018). Novel bottom-up sub-micron architectures for advanced functional devices. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

This thesis illustrates two novel routes for fabricating hierarchical micro-to-nano structures with interesting optical and wetting properties. The co-presence of asperities spanning the two length scales enables the fabrication of miniaturised, tuneable surfaces exhibiting a high potential for applications in for instance, waterproof coatings and nanophotonic devices, while exploiting the intrinsic properties of the structuring materials.

Firstly, scalable, superhydrophobic surfaces were produced via carbon nanotubes (CNT)-based electrohydrodynamic lithography, fabricating multiscale polymeric cones and nanohair-like architectures with various periodicities. CNT forests were used for manufacturing essential components for the electrohydrodynamic setup and producing controlled micro-to-nano features on a millimetre scale. The achieved high contact angles introduced switchable Rose-to-Lotus wetting regimes.

Secondly, a cost-effective method was introduced as a route towards plasmonic bandgap metamaterials via electrochemical replication of three-dimensional (3D) DNA nanostructures as sacrificial templates. A range of sub-30nm 3D DNA polyhedrons, immobilised onto conductive and insulating surfaces, were replicated with gold via electrochemical deposition and sputtering. Microscopic characterisation revealed detailed gold replicas preserving both edges and cavities of the DNA nanostructures. Accurate tuning of both polyhedrons’ dimensions and gold plating conditions finally enabled sub-100nm structures which show promising optical properties such as, birefringence for potential applications in photonics, metamaterials and sensing.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):