A thin film polymer system for the patterning of amines through thermochemical nanolithography

A system for the patterning of amines through the thermal decomposition of a thin polymer film was proposed. The polymer was synthesized and films were produced by spin coating. The pyrolysis of both the polymer and the films was studied. The physical properties of the film, such as Tg, were controlled through crosslinking of the polymer and the crosslinking conditions were optimized. Analyses of the reactions that occur on the film as a result of thermal decomposition were studied. These studies seem to indicate that the thin film system studied is viable option toward the patterning of amines. The ability to bind material to the polymer films after deprotection was demonstrated using fluorescent protein and fluorescein isothiocyanate. Micron scale patterns of these fluorescent molecules were created and imaged, successfully demonstrating the viability of the system for patterning. Patterns of polyphenylene vinlyene were produced through the thermal decomposition of a tetrahydrothiophenium chloride salt precursor. Images of the patterns were obtained.M.S