Transfer printing of colloidal crystals based on UV mediated degradation of a polymer thin film.

A versatile colloidal transfer printing method that can be used to transfer any type of particles (polymeric/inorganic) to any type of surface (hydrophobic/hydrophilic; smooth/rough) is reported. The method relies on UV mediated degradation of a sacrificial thin film of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), and does not necessitate the use of a transfer medium or modification of the target substrate.