Stamps, inks and substrates: polymers in microcontact printing (original) (raw)

Microcontact printing (μCP) is a straightforward method for the preparation of micro- and nanostructured surfaces. The key element in μCP is a polymeric stamp with a relief pattern. This stamp is “inked” and put in contact with the substrate surface. Ideally, the ink is transferred from stamp to substrate only in the area of contact. This review focuses on the important role of polymers in μCP. First of all, polymers are the material of choice to make μCP stamps. Furthermore, μCP is a useful method for preparing microstructured polymer surfaces. Polymers can be applied as inks in μCP so that microstructured polymer surfaces are obtained in a single printing step. Microstructured polymer surfaces can also be obtained by μCP on polymer substrates. A wide range of inks – including polymer inks – can be patterned on polymer substrates by μCP. In short, polymers are widely used as stamps, inks and substrates in μCP and we have organized this review accordingly.

You have access to this article

Please wait while we load your content... Something went wrong. Try again?