Substrate-Independent Maskless Writing of Functionalized Microstructures Using CHic Chemistry and Digital Light...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Photochemistry

Background:

• Digital Light Processing (DLP) maskless photolithography offers rapid, flexible, and cost-effective microfabrication.
• Existing methods face limitations in substrate compatibility and chemical versatility for complex surface patterning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel material system for DLP-based microfabrication using photoreactive polymers.
• To demonstrate a versatile method for creating microstructures with arbitrary geometries and chemistries on various substrates.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing a photoreactive polymer system for light-induced C,H-insertion cross-linking (CHic).
• Coating substrates with a solvent-free prepolymer film and patterning with a DLP system.
• Inducing local cross-linking via patterned light to form desired microstructures.

Main Results:

• Achieved fabrication of complex microstructures with lateral resolution of several microns and topography of tens of nanometers.
• Demonstrated rapid structure formation within 30 seconds.
• Confirmed universal applicability of the CHic reaction on a wide variety of substrates.

Conclusions:

• The CHic material system provides a simple and versatile approach for DLP-based microfabrication.
• This technique enables direct writing of surface functionalization patterns with high spatial control.
• The broad substrate compatibility significantly expands the application scope of DLP printing.