Low-power lasers create durable nano-patterns into sulfur-derived polymers

Low-power lasers can create intricate nano- and microscale patterns on inexpensive sulfur-derived polymers, according to a new study. This breakthrough technique, developed at Flinders University and published in ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, could revolutionize various industries such as water-repellent coatings, optical devices, and data storage disks.

Professor Justin Chalker, senior author and ARC Future Fellow at Flinders University, explained that the team invented a one-step method to imprint complex patterns onto low-cost polymer surfaces using laser energy, without the need for expensive materials. Lead author Dr. Abigail Mann highlighted that this discovery opens up possibilities for high-value applications due to the ability to create intricate polymer surfaces using low-power lasers.

The researchers discovered that very short exposure times to low-power lasers (around 1 mW) cause swelling in the polymer, which is highly sensitive to the laser energy. The size and shape of the modification are directly related to the laser exposure time, and the modification is highly stable for months to years. This controllable swelling enables the creation of various patterns, including those that produce structural color similar to the iridescent hues found in butterfly wings and peacock feathers.

These patterns can serve multiple purposes, such as creating water-repellent surfaces that repel water and prevent biofilm formation. Additionally, the patterns can interact with light to produce a range of iridescent colors, making them suitable for anti-counterfeiting devices as hidden barcodes. The technique also has potential applications in electronics, information storage, biomedical devices, microfluidics, and other fields.