A Simple Way to Achieve Legible and Local Controllable Patterning for Polymers Based on a Near-Infrared Pulsed Laser

Abstract

This study developed a simple way to achieve legible and local controllable patterning for polymers based on a near-infrared (NIR) pulsed laser. The polycarbonate-coated nano antimony-doped tin oxide (nano ATO) was designed as a core-shell structure that was tailored to be responsive to a 1064 nm NIR laser. The globular morphology of polycarbonate-coated nano ATO with a diameter of around 2-3 μm was observed by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. This core-shell structure combined the excellent photothermal conversion efficiency of nano ATO and the high char (carbon) residue of polycarbonate. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results of a polymer-patterning plate after laser irradiation demonstrated that, through local controlled photochromism, the well-defined legible patterns can be fabricated on the polymer surfaces contribute to the synergistic effect consisting of polycarbonate carbonization and nano ATO photothermal conversion. Furthermore, polymers doped with a minimal content of polycarbonate-coated nano ATO can achieve a remarkable patterning effect. This novel laser-patterning approach will have wide promising applications in the field of polymer NIR pulsed-laser patterning.

Laser Polymer Tattooing: A Versatile Method for Permanent Marking on Polymer Surfaces

“…In this case, marking is the result of carbonization of the polymer surface under high laser power. At lower power, foaming or melting can be observed . Most of the commonly used polymers are compatible with this marking method .…”

“…In this case, additives are required. These compounds can be either organic dyes (cyanine), metal complexes (copper complexes), or nano/microparticles (e.g., TiO 2 , Sb 2 O 3 , SnO 2 :Sb 2 O 3 , BiO 2 , black carbon, and graphene). Though the concentration of additives remains at a very low level (typically from 0.01 to 3.0 wt.…”

Selective Metallization of Polymers: Surface Activation of Polybutylene Terephthalate (PBT) Assisted by Picosecond Laser Pulses

“…This was also reported for high-density polyethylene containing ATO nanoparticles (HDPE-ATO) and PI samples after exposure to near-infrared (NIR) and UV excimer laser irradiation, respectively. [38,39] NIR pulsed laser can penetrate polymers from micro-to millimeter scale depending on the laser output power as well as the presence of additives in the polymer (e.g., fillers, pigments, stabilizers, etc.). Consequently, engineering polymers such as PBT, PET, polystyrene (PS), polycarbonate (PC), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) generally exhibit a higher susceptibility to develop dark laser marking as polyethylene (PE) or PP.…”

Facile Fabrication, Structures, and Properties of Laser‐Marked Polyacrylamide/Bi2O3 Hydrogels

“…To the best of our knowledge, few studies have been performed to demonstrate the marking and identification of hydrogels by laser technology without significantly damaging the network structures. Laser marking is an ideal method for marking various materials, including plastics, metals, and ceramics, and it has received considerable attention due to its fast speed, excellent durability, high contrast and environmental‐friendliness. Generally, the permanent and damage‐free markings with discoloration on the material surface are the result of the photothermal conversion of laser‐sensitive particles in the polymers and the subsequent carbonization of the surface polymer chains induced by the laser beam.…”