Fabrications of gold nanowires using an atomic force microscope (AFM) allows spatial control (done to the nanometer level) of binding sites for gold binding peptides, which can be used in biosensors. Typically, the growth of gold nanowires is random, which causes difficulty in fabrication of sensors. The growth of gold nanowires can be controlled with atomic force microscopy (AFM) fabrication through electroless deposition. A pattern can be created with AFM and the gold can be deposited directly into the pattern, allowing the shape and the location of the nanowire to be established. The fabrication of gold nanowires with AFM was carried out on Si(III) with octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS), a self-assembled monolayer. The technique nanoshaving with a monolayer resist was employed for fabrication of nanoscale patterns. Conditions for gold electroless deposition were optimized to allow for uniform deposition of gold on Si(III) and not the monolayer resist in the surrounding regions. Deposition of gold was confirmed on Si(III). Experiments to investigate the selective deposition of gold into the nanoscale patterns are currently underway. Patterns created in this manner have potential applications for development of self-assembled biomaterials for sensing or environmentally responsive materials.

AFM based fabrication of gold nanowires through electroless deposition

251st National Meeting (2016)

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