Multicolor emission on prepatterned substrates using a single dye species

A method for realizing patterned surfaces with different emission colors by using a one-step gas-phase strategy that deposits a single molecular species on a prepatterned solid substrate by nanoprint lithography was demonstrated. The approach depended on the the spectral shift of dye molecules in different aggregation states, which is a well-known behavior in solutions but not as common on solid supports. The spectral shifts of organic dye molecules in spectroscopic properties upon aggregation originated from intermolecular chromophore interactions in the aggregate that coupled the optical transitions of the individual molecules. A deformation-induced color change in the photoluminescence of a polymer-blend film doped with dye molecules was also demonstrated. The use of thin, patterned, polymer layers or even monomolecular layers would allow for the design and fabrication of electroluminescent devices.