Method and apparatus for forming structures of polymer nanobeads

摘要

The disclosure relates to providing printed structures of polymer that have substantially flat printed surfaces. In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a post-printing treatment apparatus for receiving a substrate supporting a polymer printing thereon. The polymer can be PMMA or other suitable polymer. In a related embodiment, the polymer defines a thermoplastic polymer having a glass transition temperature. The apparatus can comprise of a chamber, and input manifold, an exhaust manifold, a solvent reservoir and a gas reservoir. The solvent reservoir provides one or more solvent systems adapted to chemically bind, and potentially react, with the polymer. The gas reservoir provides one or more gases for drying the substrate and printed polymer after the solvent treatment step. In one application, a substrate having printed surface thereon is placed in the chamber and exposed to the solvent system for sufficient period of time to provide substantially flat print surfaces.

主权项

1. A process for improving optical property of a printed film, the process comprising:
inkjet printing a film on a substrate, the printed film having polymer nanobeads which form an opaque initial surface area on the substrate; reflowing the nanobeads by exposing the nanobeads to a solvent vapor for a period of time at ambient temperature and pressure to form a solvent vapor exposed film; and drying the solvent vapor exposed film to provide a transparent film; wherein a melting temperature of the solvent is substantially less than the melting temperature of the at least one polymer; and wherein the dried film has a surface area substantially identical to initial surface area.