Nanostructured wrinkled surfaces for templating bionanoparticles--controlling and quantifying the degree of order

Faraday Discuss. 2009:143:143-50; discussion 169-86. doi: 10.1039/b902721a.

Abstract

We present a novel method to align the tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) on topographically structured surfaces. In order to gain defined patterns we use wrinkled polydimethlysiloxane (PDMS) sheets as templates. We aligned the virus with a simple spin-coating procedure on the PDMS sheet. The concentration of the virus solution and the spin speed are varied in order to identify ideal conditions for the arrangement of the viruses on the wrinkled templates. Here, we establish a simple analytical approach which allows quantifying the degree of order of the patterns, which is the basis for a quantitative discussion of templating efficiency. Furthermore, we discuss the role of dewetting processes for the particle assembly. TMVs can be used as reactive nanoparticles due to their well-defined surface chemistry. They can as well serve as a model system for alignment of anisotropic particles via spin coating from solution.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry*
  • Crystallization / methods*
  • Materials Testing
  • Nanostructures / chemistry*
  • Nanostructures / ultrastructure*
  • Nanotechnology / methods
  • Particle Size
  • Surface Properties
  • Tobacco Mosaic Virus / growth & development*
  • Tobacco Mosaic Virus / ultrastructure*
  • Virus Cultivation / methods*

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials