Modification of cycloolefin copolymer and poly(vinyl chloride) surfaces by superimposition of nano- and microstructures

Cycloolefin copolymer (COC) and poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) surfaces were patterned with nanopillars or with microbumps on which nanopillars were superimposed. The area of patterned surfaces was several square centimeters. Patterning was achieved by applying nanoporous anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) membrane as a mask in injection molding or imprinting. Nanostructures superimposed on microstructures were achieved by patterning the AAO mask with microstructures before anodization. Micro- and nanometer-sized structures could then be transferred simultaneously to polymer surfaces. Structures were characterized by SEM, AFM, and contact profilometry. The effect of different-sized structures on properties of the polymer surface was studied by contact angle measurements. Relative to the smooth surface, the increase in water contact angle on a COC surface with nanostructures superimposed on microstructures was up to 50°.