Direct micrometer patterning and functionalization of polymer blend surfaces by using hot embossing

Micrometer and submicrometer size features were prepared in poly(methyl methacrylate) based polymer blends by hot-embossing using a customized silicon master. The surface patterns were design to contain particular functionalities for wetting in combination by the additive included in the polymer blend. More precisely copolymers containing MMA units and either a hydrophobic fluorinated monomer or a hydrophilic monomer was incorporated in the polymer mixture prior to embossing. Surface segregation using the appropriated annealing conditions allowed us to vary the interfacial chemical composition. Thus, we demonstrate that the wettability of the surface can be varied as a function of both the low surface energy additive and the annealing carried out whilst maintaining the overall surface topography.