We report on the two-photon-induced polymerization (TPIP) ability of a new class of free radical two-photon initiator based on a cationic silver(I) complex incorporating 4,4′-diaminostyryl-2,2′-bipyridine (DES) derivatives as ligands. Coordination with Ag + induces a strong increase of the charge transfer character at excited state, which enhances the two-photon absorption properties of the complex with respect to that of the free ligand. A comparative analysis of the photophysical properties of DES and DES 2 Ag + shows that the presence of silver cation increases the efficiency for the generation of radical cations (DES •+ ), which can be used as hydrogen abstractor in free radical photopolymerization. We show that the addition of an aliphatic amine used as hydrogen donor also opens a parallel route for the regeneration of DES. The improvement of the two-photon polymerization efficiency is then evidenced by the fabrication of microstructures. We finally demonstrate that the use of DES 2 Ag + as two-photon initiator offers new opportunities for the fabrication of functional nanostructures composed of metal−polymer nanocomposites.
■ INTRODUCTIONSince the past decade, two-photon-induced polymerization (TPIP) has been extensively studied due to the growing need of three-dimensional (3D) micro/nanofabrication techniques in many fields such as nanophotonics, nanoplasmonics, microfluidics, or nano-and microelectromechanical systems (NEMS/ MEMS). 1−11 Among the numerous approaches for fabricating 3D microstructures, direct laser writing processes based on multiphoton polymerization provide a unique opportunity to create complex microstructures by combining both sub-100 nm resolution and relatively high throughput. In addition, various engineering materials such as polymers, ceramics, metals, and hybrid materials 12−16 have been successfully used for 3D microfabrication of micromodels, 17 micromachines, 8,18 and microdevices. 1−5 Nowadays, many efforts are focused on the development of super-resolution TPIP and on the design of new materials which can simultaneously respond to the need of higher resolution and to specific criteria such as biocompatibility for emerging fields like biosciences. 19,20 Hence, the development of new two-photon-induced initiating systems appears fundamental so as to improve the sensitivity of the materials and consequently allows the use of lower laser power and less time-consuming processes. 21−24 In this context, an elegant approach of increasing the two-photon absorption efficiency of photoinitiator (PI) is based on the complexation of PI dyes around a metal ion core. Such a geometrical organization leads to important photophysical changes, particularly a strong enhancement of the two-photon absorption cross section. Recently, we applied this strategy with 4,4′-diaminostyryl-2,2′-bipyridine series. Indeed, we showed that these "push−pull" chromophores exhibited a strong enhancement of their TPA cross sections when chelating a metal cation. 25 Several groups also demonstrated that the coordi...