Additive manufacturing of micrometric crystallization vessels and single crystals.

Oded Halevi,Hui Jiang,Christian Kloc,Shlomo Magdassi

doi:10.1038/srep36786

Oded Halevi, Hui Jiang + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1038/srep36786

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Abstract

We present an all-additive manufacturing method that is performed at mild conditions, for the formation of organic single crystals at specific locations, without any photolithography prefabrication process. The method is composed of two steps; inkjet printing of a confinement frame, composed of a water soluble electrolyte. Then, an organic semiconductor solution is printed within the confinement to form a nucleus at a specific location, followed by additional printing, which led to the growth of a single crystal. The specific geometry of the confinement enables control of the specific locations of the single crystals, while separating the nucleation and crystal growth processes. By this method, we printed single crystals of perylene, which are suitable for the formation of OFETs. Moreover, since this method is based on a simple and controllable wet deposition process, it enables formation of arrays of single crystals at specific locations, which is a prerequisite for mass production of active organic elements on flexible substrates.

Highlights

Deposition of single crystals of these materials has become a challenging research area
This was demonstrated for example by Moto et al, where individual single crystals were grown by the deposition of solution into a defined confinement frame that enabled geometrical separation between nucleation control region (NCR) and growth control region (GCR)[18]
Hasegawa et al used a substrate with a pre-fabricated hydrophilic pattern, which was prepared by photolithography[23], and utilized inkjet printing for the formation of single crystals at specific location

Summary

Introduction

Deposition of single crystals of these materials has become a challenging research area. The proposed method utilizes the printer both as a high-resolution lithographic tool for the pre-fabrication of a complex confinement frame, in which the crystallization process takes place; and for the deposition of the semiconductor solution in a controlled and gradual manner, which enables separation of nucleation from growth By this method, we printed single crystals of perylene, which are suitable for the formation of OFETs. By this method, we printed single crystals of perylene, which are suitable for the formation of OFETs Since this method is in essence a one-step wet deposition process it enables formation of arrays of single crystals at specific locations, which is a prerequisite for mass production processes of active organic elements on flexible substrates

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