Top down fabrication of organic nanocrystals by femtosecond laser induced transfer method

Abstract

We present the preparation of nanometer-size organic crystals using femtosecond laser induced forward transfer (Fs-LIFT) method. 1,4-Bis(4-methylstyryl)benzene (BSB-Me) nanocrystals are directly deposited on the substrate to form a nanocrystal film. Size and morphology as functions of applied laser fluence are investigated. We show that monodispersed organic nanoparticles with size varying from 40 nm to 300 nm could be obtained by careful adjustment of the experimental conditions. The produced nanoparticles exhibit well defined shapes, such as cube and tetrahedron with rather sharp edges. The as-prepared products have been characterized by means of X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution TEM and selected area electron diffraction. The organic nanoparticles are demonstrated single crystalline, and FTIR spectra before and after the Fs-LIFT process shows that no significant chemical decomposition occurs during the process.