High-Resolution Multicolor Photolithographic Patterning of Solution-Processed Light-Emitting Semiconductors

Abstract

Achieving high-resolution, multicolor patterns with solution-processable light-emitting semiconductors is essential for advancing flexible displays. Herein, we report a versatile photo-crosslinker featuring triphenylamine as the core and azide as the functional group, which enables high-resolution micropatterning of light-emitting conjugated polymers and quantum dots through UV-triggered cross-linking with alkyl side chains. Owing to the excellent solvent resistance of UV-exposed regions, well-defined multicolor patterns with feature sizes as small as 5 μm and a resolution exceeding 1600 pixels per inch (ppi) can be readily achieved through direct photolithography at low cross-linker loadings (1−5 wt %). More importantly, benefiting from the remarkable compatibility of this cross-linker with light-emitting semiconductors, their emission color and spectral characteristics are well preserved despite the inevitable performance trade-off, as evidenced by photophysical and electroluminescent characterization. This study provides a versatile material strategy toward the scalable fabrication of high-resolution, multicolor flexible displays and integrated optoelectronics through solution-processing techniques.