Fabrication of Ag-tetracyanoquinodimethane nanostructures using ink-jet printing/vapor-solid chemical reaction process

In this study, microscale patterns of the charge-transfer organic compound silver-tetracyanoquinodimethane (Ag-TCNQ) were prepared using a novel two-step ink-jet printing/vapor-solid chemical reaction process. First, silver nanoparticles were patterned on silicon using a piezoelectric ink-jet printer. Ag-TCNQ nanostructures were then processed on these patterned surfaces using a vapor-solid chemical reaction growth process. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that 50-100 nm wide, ∼2 μm long Ag-TCNQ nanocones, crystallites, and ribbons were fabricated using this two-step process. Patterns with a higher number density of silver nanoparticles demonstrated a greater number of nanocone structures. Micro-Raman spectroscopy results confirmed charge transfer between silver and TCNQ in the Ag-TCNQ nanostructure. Patterned Ag-TCNQ nanostructures fabricated using this novel two-step ink-jet printing/vapor-solid chemical reaction process could find use in high density, high-speed optical memory devices, magnetic devices, field effect transistors, organic light emitting diodes, metal/insulator/metal photoswitches, biosensors, and other advanced devices.