Solid-state electrochemical oxidation with polyelectrolyte membrane stamps for micro-/nanoscale pattern formation on Au surfaces

Abstract

Nanoscale-patterned Au surfaces are promising for a wide range of applications from bio/chemical sensors to high-performance electrodes. However, pattern formation using conventional resist-based methods is complex, expensive, and environmentally unfriendly. Herein, we report a novel approach for pattern formation on Au surfaces using solid-state electrochemical treatment with polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) stamps. During electrolysis, the patterned structure of the PEM stamp was transferred onto the Au surface to form micro- and nanoscale oxide patterns. X-ray analysis of the treated surface confirmed the formation of an oxide film on the Au surface, which was subsequently reduced to metallic Au after air exposure for several weeks. Although the pattern height decreased with air exposure, a patterned structure with a height of several hundred nanometers was maintained following oxide reduction. Reflectance spectroscopy revealed that the patterned Au surface exhibited sharp reflectance peaks, the intensities and positions of which strongly depended on the measurement angle, which are key characteristics of diffraction gratings. This fast and facile electrochemical treatment process is promising for the preparation of patterned Au surfaces that can be applied in optical gratings and localized surface plasmon resonance sensors.