Fabrication of Gradient and Patterned Organic Thin Films by Bipolar Electrolytic Micelle Disruption Using Redox-Active Surfactants

Bipolar electrochemistry could be regarded as a powerful approach for selective surface modification due to the beneficial feature that a wirelessly controllable potential distribution on bipolar electrodes (BPEs). Herein we report a bipolar electrolytic micelle disruption (BEMD) system for the preparation of shaped organic films. A U-shaped bipolar electrolytic system with a sigmoidal potential gradient on the BPE gave gradient-thin films including various interesting organic compounds, such as a polymerizable monomer, an organic pigment and aggregation induced emission (AIE) molecules. The gradient feature was characterized by UV-Vis absorption, thickness measurements and surface morphology analysis. Corresponding patterned films were also fabricated using a cylindrical bipolar electrolytic setup that enables site-selective application of the potential on the BPE. Such a facile BEMD approach will open a long-term perspective with respect to organic film preparation.

Automated summary

Bipolar electrolytic micelle disruption (BEMD) system utilizes the advantageous potential distribution on bipolar electrodes to prepare gradient-thin organic films with various interesting compounds. The gradient feature was characterized by UV-Vis absorption, thickness measurements, and surface morphology analysis, and corresponding patterned films were successfully fabricated. This facile BEMD approach opens a long-term perspective for organic film preparation.