The Polymer Society of Korea

Abstract

Block copolymer (BCP) self-assembly provides a simple and cost-effective strategy for fabricating well-ordered metallic nanopatterns over large areas. Bimetallic nanoparticles exhibit unique physical and chemical synergies that cannot be achieved with monometallic nanoparticles, due to the combination of two different metals. In this study, we developed a high-throughput compositional screening platform capable of generating continuous gradients of bimetallic nanoparticles on a single substrate via BCP nanopatterns. Co-Ni bimetallic nanoparticles with a compositional gradient ranging from Co₁₀Ni₉₀ to Co₉₀Ni₁₀ were fabricated on a single substrate by adjusting the substitution times of cobalt and nickel precursors along the substrate distance using a stage controller. Conventional methods require repetitive synthesis and analysis of individual samples to identify the optimal bimetallic composition, which is time- and resource-intensive. Our platform enables the formation and analysis of gradient compositions on a single substrate, significantly reducing experimental cost and time. Accordingly, the platform serves as a powerful tool for the identification of optimal compositions in catalysis, sensing, and biomedical applications.