Direct electrodeposition of micropatterned Prussian blue films on indium tin oxide/polyethylene terephthalate substrate by electrostatic field-assisted potentiostatic and pulse potentiostatic deposition methods

Micropatterned Prussian blue (mPB) films are directly deposited onto indium tin oxide/polyethylene terephthalate (ITO/PET) conducting plastic substrates by electrostatic field-assisted potentiostatic and pulse potentiostatic deposition method in this study. A micropattern deposition selectivity, S, which is defined based on the film thickness ratio, is used to evaluate the quality of the mPB films. Adequate deposition parameters, such as the applying potential and the deposition time, are scrutinized for the preparation of mPB films with high S. Surface morphology and thickness of the mPB films are investigated using optical microscope, scanning electron microscope and a surface profiler. PB films with distinct micropattern structures can be successfully obtained by controlling the deposition parameters. Thin mPB films (thickness smaller than 100 nm) can be obtained by potentiostatic deposition with high S. Pulse potentiostatic deposition method is instead more suitable for the preparation of thicker mPB films (thickness up to 2 μm) and at the same time maintains high S. These electrodeposition methods might find its potential applications in preparing micropatterned functional materials on plastic conducting substrates for flexible electronic devices.