Microcontact chemistry: surface reactions in nanoscale confinement

Microcontact printing is an established method for the preparation of physical, chemical and biological patterns on solid surfaces. Typically, microcontact printing involves a microstructured elastomer stamp that delivers a molecular ink in the contact area between stamp and substrate. Recently, it has been shown that microcontact printing can also induce chemical reactions when an ink is printed on a substrate, even when the reaction partners are normally unreactive. Rapid and spatially controlled surface reactions induced by microcontact printing enable the molecular modification and patterning of a wide range of inorganic and organic substrates.