Controllable construction of laser-induced colorful patterns based on thermal energy transfer between carbon nanotubes substrate and polymer interface

Laser irradiation technology has been widely used in the field of polymer material patterning. Improving the laser response of polymer is the key to realize laser patterning. The traditional doping process cannot achieve pattern colors other than black and white, and will affect the performance of polymer matrix. In this paper, the locally controllable laser-induced pattern transfer between the substrate and the polymer interface is realized by preparing a carbon nanotubes (CNTs) substrate with high photothermal conversion effect. The laser beam was irradiated on the interface between the CNTs substrate and the transparent polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) film. The CNTs substrate absorbed laser energy and transferred to PVA film to produce a carbonized pattern in situ. Further, colorful inorganic pigments can be transferred from the substrate to the polymer surface layer based on this interfacial transfer technique, which makes a breakthrough to realize the colorful laser-induced pattern of polymers. Moreover, the repeatability test further proves the reliability and recycling performance of the CNTs substrate. This study provides a positive approach for the industrialization of laser-induced colorful patterns on polymers.