Hole pattern in polymer films and its template effect on the growth of gold particles

Well-arrayed submicrometer holes were formed when a tetrahydrofuran solution of styrene-maleic anhydride alternating copolymer (SMA) containing water and hydrochloric acid was spin-cast onto Si wafer substrates. The heres in these films on solid substrates were interpreted as the traces of water droplets emulsified by hydrolyzed SMA during evaporation process of spin-casting. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) also revealed traces of emulsified water droplets and their fusion actions in a non-spin-casting process. Experimental evidences showed that the holes can be used as templates to direct the growth of gold particles when gold is deposited from its vapor. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.