Orthogonal Self-Aligned Electroless Metallization by Molecular Self-Assembly

We described here a Au nanocrystal-mediated approach for transfer of metal thin film patterns onto PDMS after its surface-derivatization with thiol groups. The approach appears to be versatile and readily adaptable to other polymer and metal systems. This approach overcomes the difficulty of direct lithography on PDMS and can open up a route to the fabrication of sub-micron to 10-nm-scale electrical probes for local sensing, phase and light-coupling masks, various grating structures and additive electroless metallization of PDMS. At the same time the study reveals new insights into the surface properties of PDMS.