3D Laser Nanoprinting of Optically Functionalized Structures with Effective-Refractive-Index Tailorable TiO<sub>2</sub> Nanoparticle-Doped Photoresin

The advanced direct laser printing of functional devices with tunable effective index is a key research topic in numerous emerging fields, especially in micro-/nano-optics, nanophotonics, and electronics. Photosensitized nanocomposites, consisting of high-index materials (e.g., titanium dioxide, TiO...

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Main Authors: Shichao Song, Yijie Li, Zhuofan Yao, Jie Li, Xiangping Li, Yaoyu Cao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-12-01
Series:Nanomaterials
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/12/1/55
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author Shichao Song
Yijie Li
Zhuofan Yao
Jie Li
Xiangping Li
Yaoyu Cao
author_facet Shichao Song
Yijie Li
Zhuofan Yao
Jie Li
Xiangping Li
Yaoyu Cao
author_sort Shichao Song
collection DOAJ
description The advanced direct laser printing of functional devices with tunable effective index is a key research topic in numerous emerging fields, especially in micro-/nano-optics, nanophotonics, and electronics. Photosensitized nanocomposites, consisting of high-index materials (e.g., titanium dioxide, TiO<sub>2</sub>) embedded in polymer matrix, are emerging as attractive platforms for advanced additive manufacturing. Unfortunately, in the currently applied techniques, the preparation of optically functionalized structures based on these photosensitized nanocomposites is still hampered by many issues like hydrolysis reaction, high-temperature calcinations, and, especially, the complexity of experimental procedures. In this study, we demonstrate a feasible strategy for fabricating micro-/nanostructures with a flexibly manipulated effective refractive index by incorporating TiO<sub>2</sub> nanoparticles in the matrix of acrylate resin, i.e., TiO<sub>2</sub>-based photosensitized nanocomposites. It was found that the effective refractive index of nanocomposite can be easily tuned by altering the concentration of titanium dioxide nanoparticles in the monomer matrix. For TiO<sub>2</sub> nanoparticle concentrations up to 30 wt%, the refractive index can be increased over 11.3% (i.e., altering from 1.50 of pure monomer to 1.67 at 532 nm). Based on such a photosensitized nanocomposite, the grating structures defined by femtosecond laser nanoprinting can offer vivid colors, ranging from crimson to magenta, as observed in the dark-field images. The minimum printing width and printing resolution are estimated at around 70 nm and 225 nm, indicating that the proposed strategy may pave the way for the production of versatile, scalable, and functionalized opto-devices with controllable refractive indices.
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spelling doaj.art-cb75491b959c481c8577a65eb3ad1fb12023-11-23T12:00:51ZengMDPI AGNanomaterials2079-49912021-12-011215510.3390/nano120100553D Laser Nanoprinting of Optically Functionalized Structures with Effective-Refractive-Index Tailorable TiO<sub>2</sub> Nanoparticle-Doped PhotoresinShichao Song0Yijie Li1Zhuofan Yao2Jie Li3Xiangping Li4Yaoyu Cao5Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Optical Fiber Sensing and Communications, Institute of Photonics Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, ChinaGuangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Optical Fiber Sensing and Communications, Institute of Photonics Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, ChinaGuangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Optical Fiber Sensing and Communications, Institute of Photonics Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, ChinaGuangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Optical Fiber Sensing and Communications, Institute of Photonics Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, ChinaGuangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Optical Fiber Sensing and Communications, Institute of Photonics Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, ChinaGuangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Optical Fiber Sensing and Communications, Institute of Photonics Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, ChinaThe advanced direct laser printing of functional devices with tunable effective index is a key research topic in numerous emerging fields, especially in micro-/nano-optics, nanophotonics, and electronics. Photosensitized nanocomposites, consisting of high-index materials (e.g., titanium dioxide, TiO<sub>2</sub>) embedded in polymer matrix, are emerging as attractive platforms for advanced additive manufacturing. Unfortunately, in the currently applied techniques, the preparation of optically functionalized structures based on these photosensitized nanocomposites is still hampered by many issues like hydrolysis reaction, high-temperature calcinations, and, especially, the complexity of experimental procedures. In this study, we demonstrate a feasible strategy for fabricating micro-/nanostructures with a flexibly manipulated effective refractive index by incorporating TiO<sub>2</sub> nanoparticles in the matrix of acrylate resin, i.e., TiO<sub>2</sub>-based photosensitized nanocomposites. It was found that the effective refractive index of nanocomposite can be easily tuned by altering the concentration of titanium dioxide nanoparticles in the monomer matrix. For TiO<sub>2</sub> nanoparticle concentrations up to 30 wt%, the refractive index can be increased over 11.3% (i.e., altering from 1.50 of pure monomer to 1.67 at 532 nm). Based on such a photosensitized nanocomposite, the grating structures defined by femtosecond laser nanoprinting can offer vivid colors, ranging from crimson to magenta, as observed in the dark-field images. The minimum printing width and printing resolution are estimated at around 70 nm and 225 nm, indicating that the proposed strategy may pave the way for the production of versatile, scalable, and functionalized opto-devices with controllable refractive indices.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/12/1/55titanium dioxide-based nanocompositeoptically functionalized nanostructureslaser nanoprintingfemtosecond lasereffective refractive index
spellingShingle Shichao Song
Yijie Li
Zhuofan Yao
Jie Li
Xiangping Li
Yaoyu Cao
3D Laser Nanoprinting of Optically Functionalized Structures with Effective-Refractive-Index Tailorable TiO<sub>2</sub> Nanoparticle-Doped Photoresin
Nanomaterials
titanium dioxide-based nanocomposite
optically functionalized nanostructures
laser nanoprinting
femtosecond laser
effective refractive index
title 3D Laser Nanoprinting of Optically Functionalized Structures with Effective-Refractive-Index Tailorable TiO<sub>2</sub> Nanoparticle-Doped Photoresin
title_full 3D Laser Nanoprinting of Optically Functionalized Structures with Effective-Refractive-Index Tailorable TiO<sub>2</sub> Nanoparticle-Doped Photoresin
title_fullStr 3D Laser Nanoprinting of Optically Functionalized Structures with Effective-Refractive-Index Tailorable TiO<sub>2</sub> Nanoparticle-Doped Photoresin
title_full_unstemmed 3D Laser Nanoprinting of Optically Functionalized Structures with Effective-Refractive-Index Tailorable TiO<sub>2</sub> Nanoparticle-Doped Photoresin
title_short 3D Laser Nanoprinting of Optically Functionalized Structures with Effective-Refractive-Index Tailorable TiO<sub>2</sub> Nanoparticle-Doped Photoresin
title_sort 3d laser nanoprinting of optically functionalized structures with effective refractive index tailorable tio sub 2 sub nanoparticle doped photoresin
topic titanium dioxide-based nanocomposite
optically functionalized nanostructures
laser nanoprinting
femtosecond laser
effective refractive index
url https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/12/1/55
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