Thiosulfate Polymers for Photochemical Patterning
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a lack of efficient methods for decomposing Bunte salts, particularly for patterning thin films, as existing methods rely on thermal or electrochemical processes, and a simple photochemical method is not known for thiosulfate polymers.
Innovation Solution
Development of non-crosslinked thiosulfate polymers with pendant thiosulfate groups and electron-accepting photosensitizer components covalently attached to the polymer backbone, enabling photochemical electron transfer for decomposition and patterning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If thermal or electrochemical decomposition methods are used for Bunte salts, then decomposition can be achieved, but the process complexity and energy consumption increase, and high-resolution patterning is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces thermal and electrochemical decomposition methods with a photochemical method. The thiosulfate polymer contains photosensitizer groups that absorb light energy to initiate decomposition, substituting complex thermal heating systems or electrochemical setups with a simpler optical system that achieves high-resolution patterning through selective light exposure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the decomposition mechanism from thermal/electrochemical to photochemical by incorporating photosensitizer groups into the polymer structure. This parameter change enables decomposition to be triggered by light absorption rather than heat or electricity, simplifying the process and enabling precise spatial control for high-resolution patterning
2Productivity
If electron-accepting photosensitizer components are covalently attached to the polymer backbone, then photochemical decomposition efficiency improves, but the polymer structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the thiosulfate functional groups and photosensitizer components into a single integrated polymer molecule. The photosensitizer groups are covalently attached to the polymer backbone that also carries thiosulfate groups, combining decomposition and photosensitivity functions in one structure, which improves decomposition efficiency while maintaining manageable structural complexity through systematic design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite polymer structure where thiosulfate-containing monomer units and photosensitizer-containing monomer units are copolymerized together. This composite approach allows both functional components to work synergistically, with the photosensitizer absorbing light and transferring energy to decompose the thiosulfate groups, achieving high decomposition efficiency
3Manufacturing precision
If thiosulfate groups are decomposed photochemically, then high-resolution patterns are achieved with improved solubility changes, but the requirement for photosensitizer integration increases structural complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the polymer to be self-sufficient by incorporating both the thiosulfate groups that undergo decomposition and the photosensitizer groups that enable photochemical activation within the same polymer chains. This self-service design eliminates the need for separate photosensitizer additives or complex multi-component systems, achieving high-resolution patterning while keeping the overall structure manageable
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The thiosulfate polymers allow for efficient photochemical decomposition, providing high-resolution patterns with improved solubility changes, stability, and the ability to form conductive metal coatings with enhanced adhesive strength, suitable for various applications including printing and electroless metal plating.
Implementation Method 1
enabling photochemical electron transfer for decomposition and patterning
Data Source
AI summary
A thiosulfate polymer includes both an electron-accepting photosensitizer component and thiosulfate groups in the same molecule, arranged in random order along the backbone. The thiosulfate polymer composition can be formulated into compositions and applied to various articles, or used to form a predetermined polymeric pattern after photothermal reaction to form crosslinked disulfide bonds, removing non-crosslinked polymer, and reaction with a disulfide-reactive material. Such thiosulfate polymer compositions can also be used to sequester metals in nanoparticulate form, and as a way for shaping human hair in hairdressing operations.