Methods of preparation of hollow microstructures and nanostructures

• US 7,387,813 B2
• Filed: 07/07/2005
• Issued: 06/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Specialty Coating Systems Inc.
• Original Assignee: Specialty Coating Systems Inc.
• Inventors: Kumar, Rakesh, Singh, Bawa, Lewis, Brian G., Marczi, Michael T.
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, HOA T
• Application Number:
  US11/176,017
• Publication Number:
  US 20070009738A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,076 Days
• Field of Search: 427/212, 427/217, 427/221, 427/227, 427/487, 427/509, 427/532, 427/585, 428/402, 428/403
• US Class Current: 427/227
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 13/14 Polymerisation; cross-linking
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 35/51 Spheres
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 35/58 Fabrics or filaments
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2982 Particulate matter [e.g., sphere, flake, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2984 Microcapsule with fluid core [includes liposome]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2991 Coated

Abstract

Structures in the nanoscale and mesoscale domain are provided. The structures typically have a shell which can be comprised of a porous polymeric material such as parylene. The surfaces of the shell can further comprise pendant functional groups that can provide reactive or passive characteristics.

Claims

1. A method of preparing a spherically-shaped body having a parylene shell comprising acts of:

providing a spherically-shaped scaffolding material having an outer diameter of less than about 100 μ

m;

depositing a parylene precursor material on a surface of the spherically-shaped scaffolding material;

polymerizing the parylene precursor material to produce the parylene shell; and

removing the spherically-shaped scaffolding material resulting in a cavity defined by the parylene shell.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising disposing, on at least a portion of at least one surface of the parylene shell, at least one chemical moiety.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the at least one chemical moiety comprises at least one functional group selected from the group consisting of a hydroxyl, a carboxylic acid, an amide, an amine, and a chelate.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the act of depositing the parylene precursor material is performed until a sufficient amount thereof polymerizes to result in the parylene shell having a thickness of less than about 25 μ

m.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the parylene shell has an average outer diameter of less than about 125 μ

m.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the act of removing the spherically-shaped scaffolding material comprises dissolving the spherically-shaped scaffolding material in a solvent.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the act of removing the spherically-shaped scaffolding material comprises vaporizing the spherically-shaped scaffolding material.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the act of depositing the parylene precursor material comprises vapor-phase deposition of the parylene precursor material.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the acts of depositing and polymerizing the parvlene precursor material are repeated to produce the parylene shell having a plurality of layers of parylene.