Surface modification for block copolymer nanolithographyon gold surface

Block copolymer lithography has attracted great attention for emerging nanolithography since nanoscaleperiodic patterns can be easily obtained through self-assembly process without conventional top-down patterning process. Since the morphologies of self-assembled block copolymer patterns are strongly dependent on surface energy of a substrate, suitable surface modification is required. Until now, the surface modification has been studied by using random copolymer or self-assembled mono layers (SAMs). However, the research on surface modifications has been limited within several substrates such as Si-based materials. In present study, we investigated the formation of block copolymer on Au substrate by $O_2$ plasma treatment with the SAM of 3-(p-methoxy-phenyl)propyltrichloro-silane [MPTS, $CH_3OPh(CH_2)_3SiCl_3$]. After $O_2$ plasma treatment, the chemical bonding states of the surface were analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The static contact angle measurement was performed to study the effects of $O_2$ plasma treatment on the formation of MPTS monolayer. The block copolymer nanotemplates formed on Au surface were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that the ordering of self-assembled block copolymer pattern and the formation of cylindrical nano hole arrays were enhanced dramatically by oxygen plasma treatment. Thus, the oxidation of gold surface by $O_2$ plasma treatment enables the MPTS to form the monolayer assembly leading to surface neutralization of gold substrates.