Green Synthesis of Nanoparticles Using Bio-Inspired Systems and Electrically Conductive Pattern Fabrication through Laser-Direct Writing

Systems existing in nature have evolved to operate efficiently over a long period of time, enabling efficient material transformation and processing. These natural systems provide hints for the synthesis of metal nanoparticles through efficient electron generation and transport towards metal ions for the reduction process. In this study, based on the efficient electron transfer mechanism between tryptophan (Trp) in the living body, the possibility of advanced silver patterning on flexible substrates has been presented through laser-direct writing. Irradiation of a low-power laser on the precursor induces the reduction of silver ions to nanoparticles. The sintering of these generated nanoparticles induces a silver conductive pattern by a photothermal/chemical reaction. The method of this study has strength as it supports the possibility of conductive pattern fabrication on various substrates (e.g., glass and PDMS) using a silver-based organic ink with low laser power compared to the conventional nanoparticle-based sintering method. It also suggests its suitability to various applications in terms of sophisticated pattern fabrication with minimized substrate denaturation.