Patterning Silver Thin Films by Nano Transfer Printing

Abstract

We report a nano transfer printing(nTP) method that uses a water-mediated transfer process. Water-mediated nTP is based on the direct transfer of a metal thin film from a stamp to a substrate via a water-mediated surface bonding between the stamp and the substrate. A SAMs is formed on the oxidized surface of the stamp. The SAMs ensures efficient release of the Ag pattern when the stamp is removed. When the PDMS lifted up, the metal on the raised regions of the stamp is transferred to the oxide substrate and a metal pattern is formed. The Ag-coated prepatterned PDMS can make conformal contact with SiO2 substrate. The patterned Silver films have been investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).