7. Single-Particle Triggered Polymerization

This chapter highlights the development of organic nanowires from small molecular organic compounds through intra-track chemical reactions using ion beam irradiation. Thin films of pentacene derivatives, 6,13-bis(triethylsilylethynyl)pentacene (TES-Pn), and 6,13-bis((triisopropylsilyl)ethynyl)pentacene (TIPS-Pn) were subjected to high-energy particle irradiation at a fluence of 10⁸–10¹⁰ cm⁻² and thereafter developed by organic solvents. This method, referred to as “Single-particle Triggered Linear Polymerization (STLiP)”, afforded the isolation of wire-shaped nanomaterials on a substrate that was visualized by atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. On the other hand, the pristine pentacene and derivative without (trialkylsilyl)ethynyl moiety did not give any nanowires. The STLiP technique serves as a versatile and easy nanofabrication tool for small molecular materials, and the resultant nanowires with high functional density are potentially usable as optical, electronic, and sensor materials.