Forming highly ordered arrays of functionalized polymer nanowires by dewetting on micropillars

A molecular-combing based approach able to generate arrays of 1D nanostructures having extremely small lateral size and large surface-to-volume ratio, from different polymers, has been demonstrated. A highly ordered array of DNA nanowires up to 1 cm in length, less than 10 nm in lateral length, and covering an area of up to 1 cm × 1 cm, was developed through dewetting of a DNA solution on a poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) stamp containing an array of circular micropillars on the surfaces. Contact printing allowed transfer of these nanostructures onto other flat substrates. Formation of 1D nanostructures was found to be affected by several factors, including pressure on the stamp, polymer concentration of the solution, and the molecular weight of the polymer. This method can be applied to the development of large, flexible, and low-cost nanowire-based electronics, display, and sensors.