Nanoscale colloidal particles: Monolayer organization and patterning

Abstract

The monolayer deposition of nanoscale colloidal particles (Au citrate sols) was demonstrated by employing an aminofunctional silane [3-(2-Aminoethlyamino) propyltrimethoxysilane] as a coupling agent. The compatibility of this colloidal Au deposition method with conventional electron beam lithography techniques was examined, and the two-dimensional patterning of the Au colloidal monolayer was demonstrated. Using this fabrication method, a proposal for a single electron device structure based on nanoscale (2 nm diameter) gold colloidal particles was made.