POLYMERS IN NANOTECHNOLOGY

1) NANOTECHNOLOGY

Nanotechnology; It is used to express the smallest units of atoms and molecules and to control
the matter with atomic size. A general definition of nanotechnology is ‘The field that deals
with the precise control of matter on the nanoscale’, with at least one of the dimensions
smaller than 100 nm.

It includes the creation of new substances by placing atoms on the atom and the creation of
new substances by changing the molecular structure of existing substances.

If the atomic sequence in nature can be imitated or copied, atoms can be moved so that many
different substances can be formed. This idea has increased the interest in nanotechnology and
accelerated the work in this field. In many branches the existing limits can be removed and
the molecules of a material such as coal can be changed to obtain diamonds.

1.1) APPLICATIONS OF NANOTECHNOLOGY

Nowadays there is more application and using areas of nanotechnology.

Some of these are;

 Electronics
 Coatings
 Fuel Cells
 Water filters
 Composites
 Drugs
 Cancer Detection & Treatment

2) POLYMERS IN NANOTECHNOLOGY

Polymers are perfectly fit to bridge the gap between top-down and bottom-up nanotechnology
due to their size in between the atomic and macroscopic scale. In addition, polymers are
versatile materials for nanotechnology because of their workability, low cost and adjustable
properties.
2.1) Polymers in Top-Down Nanotechnology

Currently, many lithographic techniques used in the top-down approach for the production of
nanostructures were first developed for precision engineering or micro technology. UV
lithography and imprint lithography are examples of existing techniques where technological
advances lead to higher resolutions from micrometers to nanometers.

In UV lithography, polymers are used as resistant. The exposure of the polymer to UV rays
triggers reactions that allow a mask to be more soluble (positive resistance) or less soluble
(negative resistance) in the polymer. After development, there remains a resistance pattern
which can be used to produce metal molds as a mask for the wear of the substrate or by a
lifting procedure. Minimum property sizes achieved using UV lithography rapidly declined
over the years.

2.2) Polymers in Bottom-Up Nanotechnology

Since the first synthesis of an organic molecule by Friedrich Wöhler in 1828, Synthetic
Organic Chemistry has constantly evolved. At present, the synthesis of almost any organic
molecule is possible using a wide variety of methods developed over the last 180 years. The
next step towards more complex structures is alternatively the assembly of molecules joined
to well-defined supramolecular aggregates with inorganic particles. The control of this
assembly process is the main objective in nanotechnology from the bottom up.
Supramolecular polymers and block copolymers are promising candidates for bottom-up
nanotechnology, since their morphology can be adjusted by changes in molecular design or
installation conditions.