Light-Written Reversible 3D Fluorescence and Topography Dual-Pattern with Memory and Self-Healing Abilities

Abstract

To achieve the dynamical dual-pattern with multiplex information of complex topography and 3D fluorescence is challenging yet promising for wide applications ranging from visual bioassays, memory, smart devices to smart display. Here, we develop a convenient, reliable, and versatile method to realize the well-ordered dual-pattern with reversible topography and 3D fluorescence via a light direct-writing approach based on the wrinkle mechanism. By introducing the charge transfer (CT) interaction between π-electron-rich anthracene (AN) and π-electron-poor naphthalene diimide (NDI) into the polymer system, both modulus and fluorescence of the polymer films can be spatially regulated through the photodimerization of AN, which is controlled in-plane by photomasks, and becomes gradient in the vertical direction due to the filter effect of light. Therefore, the exposed sample displays a well-ordered complex pattern with the same topography as the applied photomask and 3D gradient change of fluorescence from red to green laterally across the layers simultaneously. The spatial cross-linking and CT interaction of the gradient layer can be controlled independently, which not only provides the reliability and reversibility of the topographical and fluorescence dual-pattern but also endows the possibility for tailoring the pattern with memory and self-healing. These characters of the dual-pattern with reversible topography and 3D fluorescence declare the clear applications in smart multiplex displays, memory, anticounterfeiting, visual detections, and so on.