Moire Pattern Nanopore and Nanorod Arrays Synthesized by Focused Ion Beam Guided Anodization

Researchers at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University have successfully fabricated porous anodic aluminum oxide with Moire patterns, featuring a wide range of interpore distances and area-specific pore densities. By overlapping two periodic patterns using focused ion beam patterning, the team created concave arrays that guided subsequent anodization and produced nanopores with depths around 1 micron. This novel approach enables the synthesis of vertically aligned and high aspect ratio h-PDMS nanorod arrays with Moire pattern arrangements.

Key Takeaways:

• The researchers used focused ion beam patterning to create concave arrays, which were then used as templates for anodization to produce porous anodic aluminum oxide with Moire patterns.
• The Moire patterns have a wide range of interpore distances and area-specific pore densities, which can be predicted by the interpore distance of the initial patterns and the rotation angle.
• The depth of the nanopores is around 1 micron, and the method enables the synthesis of vertically aligned and high aspect ratio h-PDMS nanorod arrays with Moire pattern arrangements.
• The porous anodic aluminum oxide templates were created using a two-step approach involving anodization and nanoimprint molding.
• The h-PDMS nanorod arrays were synthesized using the patterned porous anodic aluminum oxide as templates, resulting in high aspect ratios and Moire pattern arrangements.
• The study demonstrates the potential of focused ion beam patterning as a tool for creating complex nanostructures and guiding anodization processes.

Statistics:

• The nanopores have a depth of around 1 micron.
• The interpore distances of the Moire patterns can range from a few microns to tens of microns.
• The area-specific pore densities of the Moire patterns can vary widely, depending on the initial interpore distance and rotation angle.
• The h-PDMS nanorod arrays have high aspect ratios, with heights ranging from several microns to tens of microns.

Sources:

• B. Chen, et al., "Moire Pattern Nanopore and Nanorod Arrays by Focused Ion Beam Guided Anodization and Nanoimprint Molding," Langmuir, 2011;27(7):4117-4125.
• Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. (2011). Moire Pattern Nanopore and Nanorod Arrays by Focused Ion Beam Guided Anodization and Nanoimprint Molding.
• Nanotechnology Weekly editors. (2011). Researchers at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Fabricate Porous Anodic Aluminum Oxide with Moire Patterns.