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

Well-arrayed submicrometer holes were formed when a tetrahydrofuran solutio n 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 dro plets emulsified by hydrolyzed SMA during evaporation process of spin-casti ng. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) also revealed traces of emulsified water droplets and their fusion actions in a non-spin-casting process. Experiment al evidences showed that the holes can be used as templates to direct the g rowth of gold particles when gold is deposited from its vapor. (C) 2000 Els evier Science S.A. All rights reserved.