Multifunctional Organic Single‐Crystalline Microwire Arrays toward Optical Applications

• Published in: Advanced functional materials 2022-05, Vol.32 (19), p.n/a
• Main Authors: Geng, Yue, Zhao, Yingjie, Zhao, Yuyan, Feng, Jiangang, Zhang, Jingyuan, Fan, Xin, Gao, Hanfei, Wang, Xue‐Dong, Jiang, Lei, Wu, Yuchen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Arrays; Crystal structure; Crystallinity; Crystallization; Crystallography; Drying; Integrated circuits; Lasing; Materials science; microlasers; microwires; optical vapor sensors; Organic chemistry; organic single crystals; patterning; Photonics; Sensor arrays; Sensors; Vapors
• ISSN: 1616-301X; 1616-3028
• DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202113025

Single‐crystalline micro‐/nanostructures based on organic stimulus‐responsive materials have attracted wide interests for their unique functional roles in various photonic applications including optical wave guiding, optical vapor sensing, and miniaturized lasing. Yet one imminent challenge is to pattern micro‐/nanostructured organic 1D arrays with controlled geometry, precise alignment, and pure crystallographic orientation owing to the uncontrollable dewetting dynamics in the solution processes. Herein, a smart assembly method is employed to regulate a confined crystallization of organic molecules. Sensitive, stable, and reproducible optical 1D‐array vapor sensors can detect the alkaline and acidic vapors based on the proton transfer process. As‐fabricated vapor sensors based on organic 1D arrays also selectively identify four similar amine vapors. Meanwhile, based on these 1D microstructure arrays, high‐performing Fabry–Pérot resonators with deep‐red laser emission, a low lasing threshold of 0.31 µJ, and high quality factor Q (≈2243) are realized. Owing to these multiple functions, organic microwire arrays not only provide intrinsic insight into optical vapor sensing but also offer guidance for the development of miniaturized lasers with specific functionalities, which show considerable potential in multifunctional photonic integrated circuits. High‐quality organic single‐crystal arrays with controllable geometry and strict alignment are obtained through a confined assembly method. Optical vapor sensors based on organic microwires can achieve the identification of alkaline and acidic vapors, high sensitivity, and selectivity. Simultaneously, a high lasing emission performance based on 1D arrays is established with a high‐quality factor resonator and low lasing threshold value.