Abstract: The present invention relates to highly ordered arrays of nanoholes in metallic films and to an improved method for producing the same. The method according to the invention for producing an highly ordered array of nanoholes in metallic films on a substrate comprises the following steps: a) providing microspheres comprising poly-N-isopropylamide (polyNIPAM), the microspheres being selected from pure poly-N-isopropyl-amide (polyNIPAM) hydrogel microspheres and polymeric or inorganic beads carrying poly-N-isopropylamide (polyNIPAM) hydrogel chains, b) coating an aqueous dispersion of said microspheres onto a substrate and drying the dispersion, which results in a non-close packed ordered array of the microspheres, c) generating a metallic film on the substrate, d) removing the microspheres from the surface of the substrate which results in an ordered array of nanoholes on the substrate, and e) optionally increasing the thickness of the metallic film by selective electroless plating.

Abstract: The present invention relates to highly ordered arrays of colloidal 2D crystals on a substrate and to an improved method for producing the same. The method according to the invention for producing an highly ordered array of colloidal 2D crystals on a substrate comprises the following steps: a) providing a suspension of microspheres comprising poly-N-isopropylamide (polyNIPAM), the microspheres being selected from pure poly-N-isopropylamide (polyNIPAM) hydrogel microspheres, functionalized polyNIPAM microspheres, and polymeric or inorganic beads carrying poly-N-isopropyl-amide (polyNIPAM) hydrogel chains, in an aqueous medium on a substrate, wherein the aqueous medium comprises a mixture of water and a lower alkyl alcohol, b) subjecting the suspension deposited on the substrate after step a) to a shear force, and c) drying the suspension. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the shear force is generated by applying a pulsed gas stream to the substrate surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to highly ordered arrays of colloidal 2D crystals on a substrate and to an improved method for producing the same. The method according to the invention for producing an highly ordered array of colloidal 2D crystals on a substrate comprises the following steps: a) providing a suspension of microspheres comprising poly-N-isopropylamide (polyNIPAM), the microspheres being selected from pure poly-N-isopropylamide (polyNIPAM) hydrogel microspheres, functionalized polyNIPAM microspheres, and polymeric or inorganic beads carrying poly-N-isopropyl-amide (polyNIPAM) hydrogel chains, in an aqueous medium on a substrate, wherein the aqueous medium comprises a mixture of water and a lower alkyl alcohol, b) subjecting the suspension deposited on the substrate after step a) to a shear force, and c) drying the suspension. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the shear force is generated by applying a pulsed gas stream to the substrate surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to highly ordered arrays of nanoholes in metallic films and to an improved method for producing the same. The method according to the invention for producing an highly ordered array of nanoholes in metallic films on a substrate comprises the following steps: a) providing microspheres comprising poly-N-isopropylamide (polyNIPAM), the microspheres being selected from pure poly-N-isopropyl-amide (polyNIPAM) hydrogel microspheres and polymeric or inorganic beads carrying poly-N-isopropylamide (polyNIPAM) hydrogel chains, b) coating an aqueous dispersion of said microspheres onto a substrate and drying the dispersion, which results in a non-close packed ordered array of the microspheres, c) generating a metallic film on the substrate, d) removing the microspheres from the surface of the substrate which results in an ordered array of nanoholes on the substrate, and e) optionally increasing the thickness of the metallic film by selective electroless plating.