Small molecular nanowire arrays assisted by superhydrophobic pillar-structured surfaces with high adhesion

Molecular Electronics: From Nanostructure Assembly to Device Integration

Integrated electronics and optoelectronics based on organic semiconductors have attracted considerable interest in displays, photovoltaics, and biosensing owing to their designable electronic properties, solution processability, and flexibility. Miniaturization and integration of devices are growing trends in molecular electronics and optoelectronics for practical applications, which requires large-scale and versatile assembly strategies for patterning organic micro/nano-structures with simultaneously long-range order, pure orientation, and high resolution. Although various integration methods have been developed in past decades, molecular electronics still needs a versatile platform to avoid defects and disorders due to weak intermolecular interactions in organic materials. In this perspective, a roadmap of organic integration technologies in recent three decades is provided to review the history of molecular electronics. First, we highlight the importance of long-range-ordered molecular packing for achieving exotic electronic and photophysical properties. Second, we classify the strategies for large-scale integration of molecular electronics through the control of nucleation and crystallographic orientation, and evaluate them based on factors of resolution, crystallinity, orientation, scalability, and versatility. Third, we discuss the multifunctional devices and integrated circuits based on organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) and photodetectors. Finally, we explore future research directions and outlines the need for further development of molecular electronics, including assembly of doped organic semiconductors and heterostructures, biological interfaces in molecular electronics and integrated organic logics based on complementary FETs.

Bubble wall confinement-driven molecular assembly toward sub-12 nm and beyond precision patterning

Patterning is attractive for nanofabrication, electron devices, and bioengineering. However, achieving the molecular-scale patterns to meet the demands of these fields is challenging. Here, we propose a bubble-template molecular printing concept by introducing the ultrathin liquid film of bubble walls to confine the self-assembly of molecules and achieve ultrahigh-precision assembly up to 12 nanometers corresponding to the critical point toward the Newton black film limit. The disjoining pressure describing the intermolecular interaction could predict the highest precision effectively. The symmetric molecules exhibit better reconfiguration capacity and smaller preaggregates than the asymmetric ones, which are helpful in stabilizing the drainage of foam films and construct high-precision patterns. Our results confirm the robustness of the bubble template to prepare molecular-scale patterns, verify the criticality of molecular symmetry to obtain the ultimate precision, and predict the application potential of high-precision organic patterns in hierarchical self-assembly and high-sensitivity sensors.

Scalable Production of Monodisperse Bioactive Spider Silk Nanowires

Elongated protein-based micro- and nanostructures are of great interest for a wide range of biomedical applications, where they can serve as a backbone for surface functionalization and as vehicles for drug delivery. Current production methods for protein constructs lack precise control of either shape and dimensions or render structures fixed to substrates. This work demonstrates production of recombinant spider silk nanowires suspended in solution, starting with liquid bridge induced assembly (LBIA) on a substrate, followed by release using ultrasonication, and concentration by centrifugation. The significance of this method lies in that it provides i) reproducability (standard deviation of length <13% and of diameter <38%), ii) scalability of fabrication, iii) compatibility with autoclavation with retained shape and function, iv) retention of bioactivity, and v) easy functionalization both pre- and post-formation. This work demonstrates how altering the function and nanotopography of a surface by nanowire coating supports the attachment and growth of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). Cell compatibility is further studied through integration of nanowires during aggregate formation of hMSCs and the breast cancer cell line MCF7. The herein-presented industrial-compatible process enables silk nanowires for use as functionalizing agents in a variety of cell culture applications and medical research.

Gold Nanoparticle-Bridge Array to Improve DNA Hybridization Efficiency of SERS Sensors

The interfacial mass transfer rate of a target has a significant impact on the sensing performance. The surface reaction forms a concentration gradient perpendicular to the surface, wherein a slow mass transfer process decreases the interfacial reaction rate. In this work, we self-assembled gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in the gap of a SiO₂ opal array to form a AuNP-bridge array. The diffusion paths of vertical permeability and a microvortex effect provided by the AuNP-bridge array synergistically improved the target mass transfer efficiency. As a proof of concept, we used DNA hybridization efficiency as a research model, and the surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) signal acted as a readout index. The experimental verification and theoretical simulation show that the AuNP-bridge array exhibited rapid mass transfer and high sensitivity. The DNA hybridization efficiency of the AuNP-bridge array was 15-fold higher than that of the AuNP-planar array. We believe that AuNP-bridge arrays can be potentially applied for screening drug candidates, genetic variations, and disease biomarkers.

Direct imaging of polymer filaments pulled from rebounding drops

Polymer filaments form the foundation of biology from cell scaffolding to DNA. Their study and fabrication play an important role in a wide range of processes from tissue engineering to molecular machines. We present a simple method to deposit stretched polymer fibers between micro-pillars. This occurs when a polymeric drop impacts on and rebounds from an inclined superhydrophobic substrate. It wets the top of the pillars and pulls out liquid filaments which are stretched and can attach to adjacent pillars leaving minuscule threads, with the solvent evaporating to leave the exposed polymers. We use high-speed video at the microscale to characterize the most robust filament-forming configurations, by varying the impact velocity, substrate structure and inclination angle, as well as the PEO-polymer concentration. Impacts onto plant leaves or a randomized nano-structured surface leads to the formation of a branched structure, through filament mergers at the free surface of the drop. SEM shows the deposition of filament bundles which are thinner than those formed by evaporation or rolling drops. Raman spectroscopy identifies the native mode B stretched DNA filaments from aqueous-solution droplets.

Long-Range-Ordered Assembly of Micro-/Nanostructures at Superwetting Interfaces

On-chip integration of solution-processable materials imposes stringent and simultaneous requirements of controlled nucleation and growth, tunable geometry and dimensions, and long-range-ordered assembly, which is challenging in solution process far from thermodynamic equilibrium. Superwetting interfaces, underpinned by programmable surface chemistry and topography, are promising for steering transport, dewetting, and microfluid dynamics of liquids, thus opening a new paradigm for micro-/nanostructure assembly in solution process. Herein, assembly methods on the basis of superwetting interfaces are reviewed for constructing long-range-ordered micro-/nanostructures. Confined capillary liquids, including capillary bridges and capillary corner menisci realized by controlling local wettability and surface topography, are highlighted for simultaneously attained deterministic patterning and long-range order. The versatility and robustness of confined capillary liquids are discussed with assembly of single-crystalline micro-/nanostructures of organic semiconductors, metal-halide perovskites, and colloidal-nanoparticle superlattices, which lead to enhanced device performances and exotic functionalities. Finally, a perspective for promising directions in this realm is provided.

Reversible Micrometer-Scale Spiral Self-Assembly in Liquid Crystalline Block Copolymer Film with Controllable Chiral Response

The spiral is a fundamental structure in nature and spiral structures with controllable handedness are of increasing interest in the design of new chiroptical materials. In this study, micrometer-scale spiral structures with reversible chirality were fabricated based on the assembly of a liquid crystalline block copolymer film assisted by enantiopure tartaric acid. Mechanistic insight revealed that the formation of the spiral structures was closely related to the liquid crystalline properties of the major phase of block copolymer under the action of chiral tartaric acid. The chiral spiral structures with controllable handedness were easily erased under ultraviolet light irradiation and restored via thermal annealing. This facile thermal treatment method provides guidance for fabrication of chiral micrometer-scale spiral structures with adjustable chiral properties.

Polyaromatic hydrocarbon inner-structured carbon nanodots for interfacial enhancement of carbon fiber composite

It is well known that carbon substances with a polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) inner structure only form at high temperature. In this work, we introduce fabrication of massive and PAH inner-structured carbon nanodots (CNDs) via hydrothermal treatment of glucose aqueous solution in the monolithic methyl silicone hydrogel at 200 °C. During the carbonization process, all the precursor solution is confined in nano-vessels (2–20 nm) of the thermostable methyl silicone hydrogel, thus forming CNDs without aggregation. The resulting CNDs, with a yield of 65%, were separated facilely and characterized using various spectroscopy and microscopy techniques. The glucose-derived CNDs have diameters of 2–5 nm and contain 18.9 wt% carboxyl groups, and their aqueous solubility depends on the pH. The CNDs consist of large PAH clusters, confirmed by solid-state ¹³C NMR, which were different to other reported carbon substances prepared at similar low temperatures. The formation mechanism of the PAH structure in the CNDs probably relates to the high interfacial energy of the prewetted superhydrophobic methyl silicone nano-framework in the hydrogel. Moreover, the tunable fluorescence properties of the CNDs prepared using this method can be attributed to the arene carboxylic groups in the CNDs. Finally, the resultant PAH CNDs with abundant groups were applied as a sizing in carbon fiber (CF) composite fabrication, resulting in an obvious interface enhancement of the CF/epoxy composite.

Aggregation-free fabrication of polyaromatic hydrocarbon inner-structured carbon nanodots via hydrothermal treatment of the glucose aqueous solution in the monolithic methyl silicone hydrogel is introduced.

Polymeric Nanowires for Diagnostic Applications

Polymer nanowire-related research has shown considerable progress over the last decade. The wide variety of materials and the multitude of well-established chemical modifications have made polymer nanowires interesting as a functional part of a diagnostic biosensing device. This review provides an overview of relevant publications addressing the needs for a nanowire-based sensor for biomolecules. Working our way towards the detection methods itself, we review different nanowire fabrication methods and materials. Especially for an electrical signal read-out, the nanowire should persist in a single-wire configuration with well-defined positioning. Thus, the possibility of the alignment of nanowires is discussed. While some fabrication methods immanently yield an aligned single wire, other methods result in disordered structures and have to be manipulated into the desired configuration.

A sensitive and selective electroanalysis strategy for histidine using the wettable well electrodes modified with graphene quantum dot-scaffolded melamine and copper nanocomposites

A wettable well was fabricated on an electrode, which was further modified with carbon quantum dot-scaffolded nanocomposites of melamine and copper for probing histidine through a unique displacement reaction route. The developed electrode with wettable well enables the condensing enrichment of analytes from the sample droplets, improving the electroanalytical sensitivity.

Superwettable Microwell Arrays Constructed by Photocatalysis of Silver-Doped-ZnO Nanorods for Ultrasensitive and High-Throughput Electroanalysis of Glutathione in Hela Cells

Superwettable microwell arrays were constructed for the first time by the synergic photocatalysis of silver-doped-ZnO (Ag-ZnO) nanorods patterned on indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes for electroanalysis of glutathione (GSH) in hela cells through the signal output of AgCl electrochemistry. The newly prepared Ag-ZnO nanorods with high photocatalysis were dispersed into an octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS) matrix to be deposited onto ITO substrates, yielding superhydrophobic Ag-ZnO-OTS coatings. Superhydrophilic microwells were further created by the Ag-ZnO photocatalysis under UV irradiation to produce Ag-ZnO microwell arrays featuring the superwettability profile. The resulting Ag-ZnO microwell-modified ITO electrodes were employed further for electroanalysis of GSH through solid-state AgCl electrochemistry, in which the specific Ag-GSH interactions would trigger a rational decrease in the sharp AgCl peak currents at the potential approaching zero. Moreover, benefitting from the superwettability feature, the microwells on the ITO electrodes could facilitate the condensing enrichment of GSH analytes from the sample droplets, achieving improved analysis sensitivity. The as-developed electroanalysis strategy was subsequently demonstrated for the detection of GSH in hela cell supernatant with levels down to about 27.30 pM. Additionally, this synergic photocatalysis-based preparation route can be tailored for the large-scale fabrication of various array platforms with the superwettability feature for high-throughput and sensitive biological analysis.

Elaborately programmed nanowires fabricated using a tapered push-pull nozzle system

Elaborately programmed silver nanowire arrays can be prepared using a tapered push-pull nozzle system (TPPNS), which is used to directly write micro-nano wires on a substrate via a two-reagent reaction in the diffusion mixing region. The wires could be precisely positioned on the substrate and their width could be freely controlled from the micro to the nano scale, indicating an advance in the methodologies of controlling and fabricating nanowires. The as-prepared silver three-electrode device can serve as a three-electrode sensor.

Structuring of Functional Spider Silk Wires, Coatings, and Sheets by Self-Assembly on Superhydrophobic Pillar Surfaces

Spider silk has recently become a material of high interest for a large number of biomedical applications. Previous work on structuring of silk has resulted in particles (0D), fibers (1D), films (2D), and foams, gels, capsules, or microspheres (3D). However, the manufacturing process of these structures is complex and involves posttreatment of chemicals unsuitable for biological applications. In this work, the self-assembly of recombinant spider silk on micropatterned superhydrophobic surfaces is studied. For the first time, structuring of recombinant spider silk is achieved using superhydrophobic surfaces under conditions that retain the bioactivity of the functionalized silk. By tuning the superhydrophobic surface geometry and the silk solution handling parameters, this approach allows controlled generation of silk coatings, nanowires, and sheets. The underlying mechanisms and governing parameters are discussed. It is believed that the results of this work pave the way for fabrication of silk formations for applications including vehicles for drug delivery, optical sensing, antimicrobial coatings, and cell culture scaffolds.

Dual-Phase Transformation: Spontaneous Self-Template Surface-Patterning Strategy for Ultra-transparent VO2 Solar Modulating Coatings

Dual-phase transformation has been developed as a template-free surface patterning technique in this study. Ordered VO₂ honeycomb structures with a complex hierarchy have been fabricated via this method, and the microstructures of the obtained VO₂(M) coatings are tunable by tailoring the pertinent variables. The VO₂(M) honeycomb-structured coatings have excellent visible light transmittance at 700 nm (T_vis) up to 95.4% with decent solar modulating ability (ΔT_sol) of 5.5%, creating the potential as ultratransparent smart solar modulating coatings. Its excellent performance has been confirmed by a proof-of-principle demonstration. The dual-phase transformation technique has dramatically simplified the conventional colloidal lithography technique as a scalable surface patterning technique for achieving high-performance metal oxide coatings with diverse applications, such as catalysis, sensing, optics, electronics, and superwettable materials.

Facile construction of a polydopamine-based hydrophobic surface for protection of metals against corrosion

Metal surfaces with a hydrophobic feature, which could prevent percolation of water droplets and improve their capability against corrosion, arouse extensively interest.

Printable Functional Chips Based on Nanoparticle Assembly

With facile manufacturability and modifiability, impressive nanoparticles (NPs) assembly applications were performed for functional patterned devices, which have attracted booming research attention due to their increasing applications in high-performance optical/electrical devices for sensing, electronics, displays, and catalysis. By virtue of easy and direct fabrication to desired patterns, high throughput, and low cost, NPs assembly printing is one of the most promising candidates for the manufacturing of functional micro-chips. In this review, an overview of the fabrications and applications of NPs patterned assembly by printing methods, including inkjet printing, lithography, imprinting, and extended printing techniques is presented. The assembly processes and mechanisms on various substrates with distinct wettabilities are deeply discussed and summarized. Via manipulating the droplet three phase contact line (TCL) pinning or slipping, the NPs contracted in ink are controllably assembled following the TCL, and generate novel functional chips and correlative integrate devices. Finally, the perspective of future developments and challenges is presented and widely exhibited.

A Dewetting-Induced Assembly Strategy for Precisely Patterning Organic Single Crystals in OFETs

Simple methods for patterning single crystals are critical to fully realize their applications in electronics. However, traditional vapor and solution methods are deficient in terms of crystals with random spatial and quality distributions. In this work, we report a dewetting-induced assembly strategy for obtaining large-scale and highly oriented organic crystal arrays. We also demonstrate that organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) fabricated from patterned n-alkyl-substituted tetrachloroperylene diimide (R-4ClPDI) single crystals can reach a maximum mobility of 0.65 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1) for C8-4ClPDI in ambient conditions. This technique constitutes a facile method for fabricating OFETs with high performances for large-scale electronics applications.

Recent Advances in TiO2 -Based Nanostructured Surfaces with Controllable Wettability and Adhesion

Bioinspired surfaces with special wettability and adhesion have attracted great interest in both fundamental research and industry applications. Various kinds of special wetting surfaces have been constructed by adjusting the topographical structure and chemical composition. Here, recent progress of the artificial superhydrophobic surfaces with high contrast in solid/liquid adhesion has been reviewed, with a focus on the bioinspired construction and applications of one-dimensional (1D) TiO2-based surfaces. In addition, the significant applications related to artificial super-wetting/antiwetting TiO2-based structure surfaces with controllable adhesion are summarized, e.g., self-cleaning, friction reduction, anti-fogging/icing, microfluidic manipulation, fog/water collection, oil/water separation, anti-bioadhesion, and micro-templates for patterning. Finally, the current challenges and future prospects of this renascent and rapidly developing field, especially with regard to 1D TiO2-based surfaces with special wettability and adhesion, are proposed and discussed.

Recent advances in superhydrophobic surfaces and their relevance to biology and medicine

By mimicking naturally occurring superhydrophobic surfaces, scientists can now realize artificial surfaces on which droplets of a few microliters of water are forced to assume an almost spherical shape and an extremely high contact angle. In recent decades, these surfaces have attracted much attention due to their technological applications for anti-wetting and self-cleaning materials. Very recently, researchers have shifted their interest to investigate whether superhydrophobic surfaces can be exploited to study biological systems. This research effort has stimulated the design and realization of new devices that allow us to actively organize, visualize and manipulate matter at both the microscale and nanoscale levels. Such precise control opens up wide applications in biomedicine, as it allows us to directly manipulate objects at the typical length scale of cells and macromolecules. This progress report focuses on recent biological and medical applications of superhydrophobicity. Particular regard is paid to those applications that involve the detection, manipulation and study of extremely small quantities of molecules, and to those that allow high throughput cell and biomaterial screening.

Capillary Force Driven Self-Assembly of Anisotropic Hierarchical Structures Prepared by Femtosecond Laser 3D Printing and Their Applications in Crystallizing Microparticles

The hierarchical structures are the derivation of various functionalities in the natural world and have inspired broad practical applications in chemical systhesis and biological manipulation. However, traditional top-down fabrication approaches suffered from low complexity. We propose a laser printing capillary-assisted self-assembly (LPCS) strategy for fabricating regular periodic structures. Microscale pillars are first produced by the localized femtosecond laser polymerization and are subsequently self-assembled into periodic hierarchical architectures with the assistance of controlled capillary force. Moreover, based on anisotropic assemblies of micropillars, the LPCS method is further developed for the preparation of more complicated and advanced functional microstructures. Pillars cross section, height, and spatial arrangement can be tuned to guide capillary force, and diverse assemblies with different configurations are thus achieved. Finally, we developed a strategy for growing micro/nanoparticles in designed spatial locations through solution-evaporation self-assembly induced by morphology. Due to the high flexibility of LPCS method, the special arrangements, sizes, and distribution density of the micro/nanoparticles can be controlled readily. Our method will be employed not only to fabricate anisotropic hierarchical structures but also to design and manufacture organic/inorganic microparticles.

Ultratrace DNA Detection Based on the Condensing-Enrichment Effect of Superwettable Microchips

A sensitive nucleic acid detection platform based on superhydrophilic microwells spotted on a superhydrophobic substrate is fabricated. Due to the wettability differences, ultratrace DNA molecules are enriched and the fluorescent signals are amplified to allow more sensitive detection. The biosensing interface based on superwettable materials provides a simple and cost-effective way for ultratrace DNA sensing.

Fabrication of Nanoscale Circuits on Inkjet-Printing Patterned Substrates

Nanoscale circuits are fabricated by assembling different conducting materials (e.g., metal nanoparticles, metal nano-wires, graphene, carbon nanotubes, and conducting polymers) on inkjet-printing patterned substrates. This non-litho-graphy strategy opens a new avenue for integrating conducting building blocks into nanoscale devices in a cost-efficient manner.

A gecko skin micro/nano structure - A low adhesion, superhydrophobic, anti-wetting, self-cleaning, biocompatible, antibacterial surface

Geckos, and specifically their feet, have attracted significant attention in recent times with the focus centred around their remarkable adhesional properties. Little attention however has been dedicated to the other remaining regions of the lizard body. In this paper we present preliminary investigations into a number of notable interfacial properties of the gecko skin focusing on solid and aqueous interactions. We show that the skin of the box-patterned gecko (Lucasium sp.) consists of dome shaped scales arranged in a hexagonal patterning. The scales comprise of spinules (hairs), from several hundred nanometres to several microns in length, with a sub-micron spacing and a small radius of curvature typically from 10 to 20 nm. This micro and nano structure of the skin exhibited ultralow adhesion with contaminating particles. The topography also provides a superhydrophobic, anti-wetting barrier which can self clean by the action of low velocity rolling or impacting droplets of various size ranges from microns to several millimetres. Water droplets which are sufficiently small (10-100 μm) can easily access valleys between the scales for efficient self-cleaning and due to their dimensions can self-propel off the surface enhancing their mobility and cleaning effect. In addition, we demonstrate that the gecko skin has an antibacterial action where Gram-negative bacteria (Porphyromonas gingivalis) are killed when exposed to the surface however eukaryotic cell compatibility (with human stem cells) is demonstrated. The multifunctional features of the gecko skin provide a potential natural template for man-made applications where specific control of liquid, solid and biological contacts is required.

Fabrication of freestanding nanoparticle membranes over wells

Freestanding nanoparticle membranes over circular wells are prepared by utilizing surface engineering. The crucial step of this method is the hydrophobic treatment of the substrate surface, which causes the water droplet to be suspended over wells during drying. Consequently, the nanoparticle monolayer self-assembled at the surface of the water droplet would drape itself over wells instead of being dragged into wells and ruptured into patches after the evaporation of water. This scenario was confirmed by the results of control experiments with changes in the hydrophobicity of the surface and the depth of wells. Moreover, the NaCl crystallization experiment provides additional evidence for the dynamic process of drying. Freestanding nanoparticle membranes with different nanoparticle core sizes and different lengths of ligands have been successfully prepared using the same route. The Young's modulus of one typical kind of prepared freestanding nanoparticle membrane was measured with force microscopy.

Writing and functionalisation of suspended DNA nanowires on superhydrophobic pillar arrays

Nanowire arrays and networks with precisely controlled patterns are very interesting for innovative device concepts in mesoscopic physics. In particular, DNA templates have proven to be versatile for the fabrication of complex structures that obtained functionality via combinations with other materials, for example by functionalisation with molecules or nanoparticles, or by coating with metals. Here, the controlled motion of the a three-phase contact line (TCL) of DNA-loaded drops on superhydrophobic substrates is used to fabricate suspended nanowire arrays. In particular, the deposition of DNA wires is imaged in situ, and different patterns are obtained on hexagonal pillar arrays by controlling the TCL velocity and direction. Robust conductive wires and networks are achieved by coating the wires with a thin layer of gold, and as proof of concept conductivity measurements are performed on single suspended wires. The plastic material of the superhydrophobic pillars ensures electrical isolation from the substrate. The more general versatility of these suspended nanowire networks as functional templates is outlined by fabricating hybrid organic-metal-semiconductor nanowires by growing ZnO nanocrystals onto the metal-coated nanowires.

From 1D to 3D: a new route to fabricate tridimensional structures via photo-generation of silver networks

A time-saving and low-cost method is established to construct stacked 3D structures through the combination of bottom-up and top-down techniques which enables us to create building blocks freely and to precisely adjust the matrix feature.

Controlling DNA Bundle Size and Spatial Arrangement in Self-assembled Arrays on Superhydrophobic Surface

The use of superhydrophobic surfaces (SHSs) is now emerging as an attractive platform for the realization of one-dimensional (1D) nanostructures with potential applications in many nanotechnological and biotechnological fields. To this purpose, a strict control of the nanostructures size and their spatial arrangement is highly required. However, these parameters may be strongly dependent on the complex evaporation dynamics of the sessile droplet on the SHS. In this work, we investigated the effect of the evaporation dynamics on the size and the spatial arrangement of self-assembled 1D DNA bundles. Our results reveal that different arrangements and bundle size distributions may occur depending on droplet evaporation stage. These results contribute to elucidate the formation mechanism of 1D nanostructures on SHSs.

Multifunctional superamphiphobic TiO2 nanostructure surfaces with facile wettability and adhesion engineering

Compared to conventional top-down photo-cleavage method, a facile bottom-up ink-combination method to in situ and rapidly achieve water wettability and adhesion transition, with a great contrast on the superamphiphobic TiO2 nanostructured film, is described. Moreover, such combination method is suitable for various kinds of superamphiphobic substrate. Oil-based ink covering or removing changes not only the topographical morphology but also surface chemical composition, and these resultant topographical morphology and composition engineering realize the site-selectively switchable wettability varying from superamphiphobicity to amphiphilicity, and water adhesion between sliding superamphiphobicity and sticky superamphiphobicity in micro-scale. Additionally, positive and negative micro-pattern can be achieved by taking advantage of the inherent photocatalytic property of TiO2 with the assistance of anti-UV light ink mask. Finally, the potential applications of the site-selectively sticky superamphiphobic surface were demonstrated. In a proof-of-concept study, the microdroplet manipulation (storage, moving, mixing, and transfer), specific gas sensing, wettability template for positive and negative ZnO patterning, and site-selective cell immobilization have been demonstrated. This study will give an important input to the field of advanced functional material surfaces with special wettability.

Interfacial material system exhibiting superwettability

Engineering the wettability of solid materials is a traditional, yet key issue in surface science and attracts tremendous interest by researchers in diverse fields. Recently, different superwetting phenomena have been discovered in both nature and experimental results. Therefore, in this review, various superwetting states, leading to a "superwettability" system, are summarized and predicted. Fundamental rules for understanding superwettability are discussed, mainly taking superhydrophobicity in air as an example. Then, some recent application progress of individual members of this "superwettability" system are introduced. Notably, several novel application fields, mainly gas, water, oil and/or other liquid environments, are presented in the following section. By combining different members of this "superwettability" system, new interfacial functions can be generated, allowing unexpected applications, such as in environmental protection, energy, green industry, and many other important domains. Finally, the future development of this interesting "superwettability" system is discussed.

Scalable nanopillar arrays with layer-by-layer patterned overt and covert images

Transferring flexible and scalable nano-pillar arrays on a variety of unconventional substrates, including fabric, paper, and metals, is achieved by a single-step replication process using UV-curable polymers. Local alteration of the contact angle on the nanopillar arrays by LBL films creates selectively hidden images. They can be revealed by the breath and used as an innovative anti-counterfeit technology.

A general strategy for assembling nanoparticles in one dimension

Alignment of 1D assemblies of a wide variety of nanoparticles (e.g., metal, metal oxide, semiconductor quantum dots, or organic microspheres) in one direction upon diverse substrates (including industrial silicon wafers and transparent glass plates) by a general strategy is demonstrated. This sandwich method provides an efficient way of rapidly and precisely assembling nanoparticles on a large scale (up to 10 cm × 10 cm) for device applications.

Using micro to manipulate nano

A "Micro to nano" dewetting strategy is presented to generate multi-direction-controlled, precise-positioning 1D assemblies of conductive silver (Ag) NPs based on a superhydrophobicity-directed assembly strategy. Electrons can transport along linear NP assemblies and their behavior is sustained by coating a coaxial protecting layer outside the nanostructures. This new concept might open new routes for NP-based nanoelectronic circuit fabrication.

Controllable fabrication of oriented micro/nanowire arrays of dibenzo-tetrathiafulvalene by a multiple drop-casting method

A multiple drop-casting method of growing the ultralong dibenzo-tetrathiafulvalene (DB-TTF) micro/nanowire arrays has been developed which has the success ratio as high as 94%. This method enables the arrays with a length over a few hundreds of micrometers to locate between droplets with the definite orientation. The width of the micro/nanowires is controlled via tuning the concentration of DB-TTF solution in dichloromethane. The large-scale arrays can be grown onto Si, SiO₂, glass, and the flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates. These results show the promising potential of this facile solution-based process for the growth of the high-quality organic micro/nanowires, the fabrication of high-performance and flexible devices, and the fabrication of controlled assemblies of nanoscale circuits for fundamental studies and future applications.

Self-assembling of large ordered DNA arrays using superhydrophobic patterned surfaces

In this paper we present a simple and robust method to realize highly ordered arrays of stretched and suspended DNA molecules over the millimeter length scale. To this end we used an ad hoc designed superhydrophobic surface made of high aspect-ratio silicon pillars, where we deposited a droplet containing genomic DNA. A precise positioning of DNA strands was achieved by shaping the silicon pillars so that sharpened features resembling tips were included. Such features allowed us to accurately control the droplet de-wetting dynamics, pinning DNA strands in a well-defined position above pillars. The proposed technique has the potential to positively impact on the development of novel DNA chips for genetic analysis.

"Liquid-liquid-solid"-type superoleophobic surfaces to pattern polymeric semiconductors towards high-quality organic field-effect transistors

Precisely aligned organic-liquid-soluble semiconductor microwire arrays have been fabricated by "liquid-liquid-solid" type superoleophobic surfaces directed fluid drying. Aligned organic 1D micro-architectures can be built as high-quality organic field-effect transistors with high mobilities of >10 cm(2) ·V(-1) ·s(-1) and current on/off ratio of more than 10(6) . All these studies will boost the development of 1D microstructures of organic semiconductor materials for potential application in organic electronics.

Free-standing 1D assemblies of plasmonic nanoparticles

A simple yet effective method to generate free-standing 1D assemblies of gold nanoparticles by a combined top-down and bottom-up approach in conjunction with superhydrophobicity-directed fluid drying is reported. The free-standing nanoparticle assemblies can be as thin ca. 45 nm and as long as ca. 30 μm, yet mechanically strong without collapsing when held at one end. Furthermore, the 1D nanoparticle assemblies could be used as plasmonic waveguides.

Continuous microwire patterns dominated by controllable rupture of liquid films

Controllable microwire patterns are prepared by dominating the rupture of liquid films. Regular rhombic-shaped micropillar arrays serve as wetting defects to pin or depin liquids, yielding continuous, herringbone, bead-shaped polystyrene microwire patterns or bead arrays. The results provide a deeper understanding of the controllable rupture of liquid films and offer a general strategy for the organization of polymers into structures needed for wiring, interconnects, and functional devices for future microfabrication.

Smartly aligning nanowires by a stretching strategy and their application as encoded sensors

The nanotechnology world is being more and more attracted toward high aspect ratio one-dimensional nanostructures due to their potentials as building blocks for electronic/optical devices. Here, we propose a novel method to generate nanowire patterns with assistance of superhydrophobic flexible polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrates. Micropillar gaps are tunable via a stretching process of the PDMS surface; thus, diverse nanowire patterns can be formed by stretching the same PDMS surface in various ways. Importantly, square nanowire loops with alternative compositions can be generated through a double-stretching process, showing an advanced methodology in controlling the alignment of nanowires. Since alternative fluorescent molecules will be quenched by diverse chemical substances, this alternative nanowire loop shows a selective detection for diverse target compounds, which greatly improves the application of this nanowire patterning approach. Furthermore, such alternative nanowire patterns can be transferred from pillar-structured surfaces to flat films, indicating further potentials in microcircuits, sensitive sensors, and other organic functional nanodevices.