Direct self-assembly of organic micro-arrays with programmable multi-color patterns

High-resolution organic arrays with diverse pixel types hold significant promise for various applications, such as full-color displays and photonic crystals. The direct growth of such arrays (e.g., high-resolution multi-color patterns) cannot be achieved in a single step with conventional strategies. Here, we present a viable approach integrating a bottom-up solution strategy with phase-change materials (PCMs), specifically aggregation-induced emission (AIE) materials. Through intentional self-assembly, color-programmable organic micro-patterns featuring distinct phases or colors were created. Notably, manipulating the amount of involved substance for nucleation/crystallization was achieved by adjusting the sizes of pre-defined nucleation sites. This precise control resulted in varied phases and colors for each pixel. Thus, high-resolution organic micro-arrays with transfer-free multi-color pixels were directly achieved. These may open avenues for seamless, transfer-free growth of multifunctional micro-patterns using PCMs, holding immense potential for applications in high-resolution full-color imaging/displays, photonic crystals, information storage, and encryption, etc.