Turing patterns with high-resolution formed without chemical reaction in thin-film solution of organic semiconductors

Zezhong Xiang, Jin Li, Peng You, Linbo Han, Mingxia Qiu, Gengliang Chen, Yu He, Songqiang Liang, Boyuan Xiang, Yaorong Su, Hongyu An and Shunpu Li ()
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Zezhong Xiang: Shenzhen Technology University
Jin Li: University of Cambridge
Peng You: Shenzhen Technology University
Linbo Han: Shenzhen Technology University
Mingxia Qiu: Shenzhen Technology University
Gengliang Chen: Shenzhen Technology University
Yu He: Shenzhen Technology University
Songqiang Liang: Shenzhen Technology University
Boyuan Xiang: Shenzhen Technology University
Yaorong Su: Shenzhen Technology University
Hongyu An: Shenzhen Technology University
Shunpu Li: Shenzhen Technology University

Nature Communications, 2022, vol. 13, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract Regular patterns can form spontaneously in chemical reaction-diffusion systems under non-equilibrium conditions as proposed by Alan Turing. Here, we found that regular patterns can be generated in uphill-diffusion solution systems without a chemical reaction process through both in-situ and ex-situ observations. Organic semiconductor solution is confined between two parallel plates with controlled micron/submicron-meter distance to minimize convection of the liquid and avoid spinodal precipitation at equilibrium. The solvent evaporation concentrates the solution gradually into an oversaturated non-equilibrium condition, under which a phase-transition occurs and ordered concentration-waves are generated. By proper tuning of the experimental parameter, multiple regular patterns with micro/nano-meter scaled features (line, square-grid, zig-zag, and fence-like patterns etc.) were observed. We explain the observed phenomenon as Turing-pattern generation resulted from uphill-diffusion and solution oversaturation. The generated patterns in the solutions can be condensed onto substrates to form structured micro/nanomaterials. We have fabricated organic semiconductor devices with such patterned materials to demonstrate the potential applications. Our observation may serve as a milestone in the progress towards a fundamental understanding of pattern formation in nature, like in biosystem, and pave a new avenue in developing self-assembling techniques of micro/nano structured materials.

Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35162-z

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