Aligned growth of TIPS pentacene crystalline domains adhered to Au stripes formed on SiO2 surfaces

6,13-bis(triisopropylsilylethynyl) pentacene (TIPS pentacene) was electrosprayed onto SiO2/Si substrates with Au stripes, and we observed that the crystalline domains adhered to the Au stripes were preferentially oriented. To understand this phenomenon, the dynamic behavior of a microdroplet on the Au-striped SiO2 surface was studied based on real-time monitoring. We found that the contact line of the microdroplet proceeded along the Au stripe. Since crystallization occurs at the contact line, TIPS pentacene can grow as the contact line proceeds along the Au stripe. Therefore, the fast growth axis in the TIPS pentacene crystal structure can be aligned in the stripe direction. This consideration was supported by the result of angle-dependent polarized Raman spectroscopy of the crystalline domains adhered to the Au stripes.