Guided self-assembly of microgels: from particle arrays to anisotropic nanostructures

Abstract

We investigate the guided large scale self-assembly of microgels consisting of N-vinylcaprolactam (VCL), N-isopropylacrylamide (NiPAAm) and acetoacetoxyethyl methacrylate (AAEM) using nanostructured substrates fabricated via controlled wrinkling. Depending on the type of microgel, the arrangement in the grooves of the substrates influences the particle shape and the overall pattern formation. Thus we obtain straight lines composed of single particles as well as zigzag-structures. In an additional processing step, we use the nanostructured substrates as stamps to transfer the formed microgel patterns onto a planar support. Subsequent UV-crosslinking of the microgel strings yields anisotropic particles.