Berlin 2008 – scientific programme

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CPP: Fachverband Chemische Physik und Polymerphysik

CPP 34: POSTERS Polymerphysics

CPP 34.20: Poster

Thursday, February 28, 2008, 17:00–19:30, Poster A

Self-rolled Polymer Microtubes and Toroidal Microcavities — •Kamlesh Kumar, Valeriy Luchnikov, and Manfred Stamm — Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden, Hohe Strasse 6, 01069 Dresden, Germany

Microtubes and microtoriods of different nature find various applications in microfluidic devices, sensors, filters, wave-guides etc. In the present work, we have investigated the fabrication of microtube and microtoroids by self-rolling of thin strained bilayer polymer films, composed of polystyrene/poly (4-vinyl pyridine) and released in controllable manner from a solid substrate. The bilayer film develops strain due to unequal swelling of polymers in selective solvents and hence the film bends and scrolls in order to minimize its free energy. These tubes and toroids were characterized in detail using optical microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy.

Inner surfaces of tubes and toroids could be functionalized using photolithography, micro-contact printing, vacuum sputtering of metals, ion beams, plasma chemical activation etc. Photolithography, electron beam lithography and direct mechanical patterning with a sharp blade were used for the structuring of the bilayer before the rolling of tube. Looped tubes with metallized hidden walls, produced by self-rolling technique, may act as micro-resonators in the corresponding frequency range. The self-rolling approach opens new broad opportunities for mesoscale engineering of the tube-based devices, since it combines highly developed planar methods of surface modification with self-organized formation of 3D micro- and nanostructures.