Fabrication and Functionalization of Supramolecular Microgel Arrays Through Complementary Hydrogen-Bonding Interactions

Selective deposition of PS-DAP/PS-Thy microgel arrays through complementary hydrogen-bonded interactions, onto pre-patterned silicon substrates, was demonstrated. Patterned substrates were prepared using microcontact printing and the surface morphology of the wafer was investigated using confocal microscopy. The formation of gel was mediated by complementary hydrogen bonding, which enabled selective functionalization of the gel with materials bearing the complementary hydrogen bonding moieties. Crosslinking of microgel patterns by a photogenerated radical reaction of polystyrene using 254 nm UV irradiation show no apparent difference in morphology of the surface. The gel reloaded with QD-Thy and the load process repeated without any decrease of the fluorescence intensity provide a reusable platform for the construction of hybrid material microstructures.