Nanopore Fabrication Using Conventional 3D Printer

Abstract Nanofluidic systems have garnered considerable attention in research due to their distinctive physical characteristics and the challenges they present in microfluidic applications. The fabrication of nanostructures within these systems has emerged as a critical research area, because of their critical importance. As nanofabrication research advances, the demand for cost-effective, high throughput methods has increased, highlighting the necessity for fabrication techniques that do not depend on complex cleanroom facilities. In this paper, we present a straightforward yet effective and economical method for creating nanostructures over large areas using only a conventional 3D printer. Our proposed two-step approach includes a 3D printing step followed by a simple thermomechanical deformation step. We demonstrate the successful generation of nanopores across extensive areas, verified through SEM imaging and quantitative pore size measurements. Furthermore, we utilized the fabricated nanopore structure to demonstrate overlimiting responses and a nanofluidic diode, which indicates the presence of nanostructures. While the repeatability and reproducibility are relatively lower than ones fabricated by sophisticated nanofabrication techniques, we expect that this research will significantly lower the barriers associated with advanced nanofabrication facilities, thereby promoting progress in nanoengineering research.