title: Direct sub-micrometer patterning of nanostructured conducting polymer films via a low-energy infrared laser.
abstract: Despite the many attractive properties of conjugated polymers, their practical applications are often limited by the lack of a simple, scalable, and nondisruptive patterning method. Here, a direct, scalable, high-resolution patterning technique for conducting polymers is demonstrated that does not involve photoresists, masks, or postprocessing treatment. Complex, well-defined patterns down to sub-micrometer scales can be created from nanofibrous films of a wide variety of conducting polymers by photothermally welding the nanofibers using a low-energy infrared laser. The welding depth, structural robustness, and optical properties of the films are readily controlled. In addition, the electrical properties such as conductivity can be precisely tuned over a 7-order of magnitude range, while maintaining the characteristic tunable electronic properties in the nonwelded polyaniline regions.
authors: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States.
authors: Veronica
authors: V
authors: Strong
authors: Yue
authors: Y
authors: Wang
authors: Ani
authors: A
authors: Patatanyan
authors: Philip G
authors: PG
authors: Whitten
authors: Geoffrey M
authors: GM
authors: Spinks
authors: Gordon G
authors: GG
authors: Wallace
authors: Richard B
authors: RB
authors: Kaner