Effect of hydrogen bonding on laser-induced transfer of 1-pyrenebutyric acid in solid polymers

Polymer films (poly(alkyl methacrylate) or polystyrene) doped with pyrene or 1-pyrenebutyric acid (source film) were overlaid with a neat poly(butyl methacrylate) (target film) and were irradiated with a KrF excimer laser passing through the target film. Dopant molecules were found to be ejected from the source film and were transferred into the target film. The transferred amount of pyrene was about 20 times larger than that of 1-pyrenebutyric acid for poly(methyl methacrylate). The difference is considered to be caused by intermolecular interactions such as hydrogen bonding between polymer side groups and 1-pyrenebutyric acid.