Scalable nanostructuring on polymer by a SiC stamp: Optical and wetting effects

Aikaterini Argyraki, Weifang Lu, Paul Michael Petersen, Haiyan Ou

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingArticle in proceedingsResearchpeer-review

    417 Downloads (Orbit)

    Abstract

    A method for fabricating scalable antireflective nanostructures on polymer surfaces (polycarbonate) is demonstrated. The transition from small scale fabrication of nanostructures to a scalable replication technique can be quite challenging. In this work, an area per print corresponding to a 2-inch-wafer, is presented. The initial nanopatterning is performed on SiC in a 2-step process. Depending on the nanostructures the transmission of the SiC surface can be increased or suppressed (average height of nanostructures ~300nm and ~600nm, respectively) while the reflectance is decreased, when compared to a bare surface. The reflectance of SiC can be reduced down to 0.5% when the ~600nm nanostructures are applied on the surface (bare surface reflectance 25%). The texture of the green SiC color is changed when the different nanostructures are apparent. The ~600nm SiC nanostructures are replicated on polymer through a process flow that involved hot embossing and galvanization. The resulted polymer structures have similar average height and exhibit more rounded edges than the initial SiC nanostructures. The polymer surface becomes antireflective and hydrophobic after nanostructuring. The contact angle changes from 68 (bare) to 123 (nanostructured) degrees. The optical effect on the polymer surface can be maximized by applying a thin aluminum (Al) layer coating on the nanostructures (bare polymer reflectance 11%, nanostructured polymer reflectance 5%, Al coated nanostructured polymer reflectance 3%). The optical measurements were performed with an integrating sphere and a spectrometer. The contact angles were measured with a drop shape analyzer. The nanostructures were characterized with scanning electron microscopy.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationProceedings of SPIE
    EditorsEva M. Campo, Elizabeth A. Dobisz, Louay A. Eldada
    Number of pages6
    Volume9556
    PublisherSPIE - International Society for Optical Engineering
    Publication date2015
    Article number955607
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2015
    EventNanoengineering: Fabrication, Properties, Optics, and Devices XII - San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, United States
    Duration: 9 Aug 201513 Aug 2015

    Conference

    ConferenceNanoengineering: Fabrication, Properties, Optics, and Devices XII
    LocationSan Diego Convention Center
    Country/TerritoryUnited States
    CitySan Diego
    Period09/08/201513/08/2015
    SeriesProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
    ISSN0277-786X

    Bibliographical note

    Copyright 2015 Society of Photo Optical Instrumentation Engineers. One print or electronic copy may be made for personal use only. Systematic electronic or print reproduction and distribution, duplication of any material in this paper for a fee or for commercial purposes, or modification of the content of the paper are prohibited.

    Keywords

    • Scalable polymer nanostructuring
    • Optical effects
    • Wetting effects
    • Hot embossing
    • Galvanization
    • SiC

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Scalable nanostructuring on polymer by a SiC stamp: Optical and wetting effects'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this