Spatial Segregation of Microspheres by Rubbing-Induced Triboelectrification on Patterned Surfaces

Particle (monolayer) assembly is essential to various scientific and industrial applications, such as the fabrication of photonic crystals, optical sensors, and surface coatings. Several methods, including rubbing, have been developed for this purpose. Here, we report on the serendipitous observation that microparticles preferentially partition onto the fluorocarbon-coated parts of patterned silicon and borosilicate glass wafers when rubbed with...