Single-step fabrication of microsphere arrays on the surface of flexible materials by direct solidification

Abstract

The formation of microarrays on the surface of flexible materials has great potential value in fabrication of functional devices such as various kinds of flexible electronic sensors. To fabricate microarrays on the surface of flexible materials, many methods have been proposed, such as nanoimprint lithography technique, single-pulse laser interference and colloidal self-assembly. In our study, we present a simple method to fabricate silica microsphere arrays embedded on the surface of polyurethane film in a single-step. We directly solidified self-assembled microspheres at the air-liquid interface, and obtained polyurethane film embedded with silica microarrays on its surface. Compared with other methods, precise operation and complicated equipment are not required. In addition, we also utilized the fabricated microarrays as a template to fabricate concave microarrays on the surface of other flexible materials.