Patterning on cyanine-dye-doped conductive polymer films by ink jet method

In this study, the conducting polymer, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS), doped with a cyanine dye, 5-phenyl-2-(2-{[5-phenyl-3-(3-sulfopropyl)-2-(3H)-benzoxazolylidene]methyl} -l-butenyl)-3-(3-sulfopropyl) benzoxazolium hydroxide, inner salt, compound with triethylamine (NK-1952) was used to fabricate J-type aggregated thin films, using piezoelectric ink jets with desirable shape, size, and patterns on indium tin oxide (ITO) substrates. The effects of the cyanine dye and polymer concentration, UV exposure time, and other fabrication parameters of the ink jet such as nozzle size, pulse voltage, pulse duration, and the second pulses on the J-aggregate formation, spot size, and morphology have been investigated and the related mechanisms have also been discussed.