Fine Wettability Control Created by a Photochemical Combination Method for InkJet Printing on Self-Assembled Monolayers

摘要

Printing methods such as inkjet, nozzle jet, gravure, screen, and so forth are important patterning techniques that are indispensable in nanotechnologies. In particular, inkjet printing is one of the most promising methods for accurately and rapidly depositing minute amounts of functional materials in a large area at low cost. Therefore, much effort has been devoted towards fine tuning this inkjet printing method as a versatile tool useful for various industrial processes. For example, manufacturing of multicolor polymer light-emitting diode (PLED) displays is one of the potential applications made possible by this method.One must recognize, however, that the presently used "physical" method utilizing the boundary dams to store ink droplets is still at a stage requiring some improvement. For example, the bleeding of ink droplets and the ink mixing caused by overflow from the boundary dams are very critical problems that need to be solved for the production of fine textures. At present, various kinds of molds have been developed in order to overcome these problems. However, the fundamental requirements of low cost and low energy sources are not fully satisfied, and therefore further development of a new, innovative method is highly desirable.