Patterning of Poly(acrylic acid) by Ionic Exchange Reactions in Microfluidic Channels

A thin film of crosslinked poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), patterned within microfluidic channels (see figure) and crosslinked with metal cations, serves as a platform for rapid “on-chip” growth of patterned metallic and semiconductor nanoparticles. The embedded particles serve as catalysts for electroless deposition of metal films.