Micropatterning of fluorescent silver nanoclusters in polymer films by laser interference

L. E. MULKO; M. ROSSA; J. P. ARANGUREN; G. A. PINO *

APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE

ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2019 vol. 485 p. 141 - 146

0169-4332

Hybrid films of poly (methacrylic acid) (PMAA) and silver fluorescent nanoclusters were structured by the Direct Laser Interference Patterning technique (DLIP) using few nanosecond laser pulses (355 nm) to obtain an arranged and well-defined periodic surface pattern. It is shown that the films of neat PMAA are not structured by irradiation at 355 nm due to its low absorbance at this wavelength. However, the silver nanoclusters act aschromophores increasing the absorbance of the film and allowing the surface patterning. Also, the interaction of the laser beam with a film of PMAA doped with Ag+ induces the formation of fluorescent silver nanoclusters andthe subsequent surface patterning. The patterned films maintain the luminescent properties of the PMAA/Ag nanoclusters in solution. The structured and unstructured films were characterized by optical, atomic force andspectral laser confocal scanning microscopy showing highly oriented lines patterning already after just one laser pulse.