Light-controlled metal deposition on photochromic polymer films

Fine metal patterning with a small work function is indispensable to the high integration of organic electronics devices including organic light-emitting devices and organic memories. Selective metal deposition on photochromic surfaces is a promising method to prepare such metal patterns. We found that the surface physical properties of polymer films for metal deposition changed depending on their drying temperature and the photoisomerization state of the doped-photochromic diarylethene (DAE). The Mg deposition property on the DAE-doped polystyrene (PS) film was dramatically switched by light irradiation. Light-controlled selective Mg deposition for poly[2-methoxy-5-(2-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene] (MEH-PPV) was also achieved. Fine metal patterning with a width of 15 mm on DAE5%-doped polymer film with maskless vacuum evaporation was successfully demonstrated. Light-controlled selective metal deposition will contribute to the large scale integration of polymer electronics.