Template-assisted crystallization and colloidal self-assembly with use of the polymer micrometrically scaled honeycomb template

Droplets of NaCl water solution were deposited on a micrometrically scaled polymer honeycomb relief and evaporated. Template-assisted crystallization was observed. Crystals of NaCl with a characteristic dimension of 500-1000 nm filled the relief cells. Small nanometrically scaled crystals were observed as well. Wetting properties of the surface are discussed. The process of crystallization depended on the evaporation rate. The same honeycomb relief was used for template-assisted self-assembly of nanometric colloidal particles of polyvinylidene fluoride. Both template-assisted crystallization of NaCl and the TASA process supplied valuable information about the topography of honeycomb relief. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.