Self-organization of CoRh nanoparticles on chemical nanopatterns

First experiments on the combination of nano-imprint lithography and self-assembled nanoparticles deposition are presented. By fabricating chemical nanopatterns of silane molecules on an SiO2 surface, we aim at directing the self-assembly of CoRh nanoparticles on specific areas. We demonstrate experimentally that a silane monolayer of OTS on an SiO2 surface modifies drastically the self-assembling process of the nanoparticles. We also present the nano-imprint process, which enables us to create nanopatterns of silane for controlling the exact position of the self-assembled nanoparticles on the surface. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.