Initiator-free photo-crosslinkable cellulose-based resists for fabricating submicron patterns via direct laser writing

Novel bifunctional cellulose diacetate derivatives were synthesized in order to achieve bio-based photoresists, which can be structured by two-photon absorption via direct laser writing (DLW) without the need to use a photoinitiator. Therefore, cellulose diacetate is functionalized with thiol moieties and olefinic or methacrylic side groups enabling thiol-conjugated crosslinking. These cellulose derivatives are also photo-crosslinkable via UV irradiation (λ = 254 nm and 365 nm) without using an initiator.