Janus nanorods for surface nano-patterning – JA-SUR

JA-SUR aims at designing periodic nanopatterned polymer surfaces through an innovative two-step self-assembly of polymeric Janus Nanorods (JNRs, rod-like nanoparticles exhibiting two faces of different chemistries). More specifically our objective is to produce sub-10 nm nanopatterns on surfaces, with a low density of defects and sharp interfaces, with potential applications in advanced lithographic process. The approach we put forward combines supramolecular assembly in solution in the first step and colloidal packing on surfaces in the second step. In detail, polymers functionalized by complementary hydrogen bonding stickers will be synthesized and firstly pre-assembled in solution into rigid and high aspect-ratio supramolecular Janus nanorods (JNRs), with a perfect control of their shape and surface composition. 2D patterns will then be obtained by self-assembly of these preformed nanoparticles on a surface. Using the self-organisation of anisotropic preformed nano-objects instead of block copolymers, to generate nanopatterned surfaces, is a disruptive and exploratory approach. Indeed, JNRs exhibiting a very narrow diameter can be prepared by a methodology we recently developed. With these unique JNRs, features as narrow as 5 nm with sharp interfaces should be reachable after surface deposition. Moreover, these JNRs are highly anisotropic which should facilitate the formation of oriented phase-segregated domains with limited defect density. The different chemistries of the two arms of the JNRs and their reversible association by supramolecular assembly, can be further exploited for their selective removal, paving the way for potential applications in nanolithography. This project involves a multi-disciplinary team, acting in a complementary manner on each step of the project: synthesis of the polymers, self-assembly in solution, surface deposition and physical characterizations of the patterns.