Fine-structured TiO2 ceramic patterns on the ceramic surface fabricated by replication

The ability to fabricate high precision micro- to nanoscale structure in a wide variety of materials is of crucial importance for the advancement of microtechnology, nanotechnology and nanoscience. Also, the ability to create micrometer and sub-micrometer architecture for functional ceramics is a prerequisite of exploring the rich field of ceramic nanotechnology. In this work we fabricated three-dimensional oxide ceramic materials with fine-structure over multiple length scales by combining replication patterning technique, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), oxide ceramic material (TiO2) nano-sized particles. Our study is based on the idea that PVA can be easily detached from a mold by peeling. We confirmed that micron and sub-micron-sized fine-structured oxide ceramic patterns containing nano-sized pores could be fabricated using this procedure. The results presented demonstrate the compositional and structural diversities that are possible with a facile approach and simple method.