Abstract: Photolithography is a core technology in micro- and nanofabrication, yet its systematic training is limited in undergraduate chemistry laboratories. Here, we develop a research-oriented comprehensive experiment based on the direct photopatterning of nanocrystals for senior undergraduates. By integrating ligand exchange, optical modulation, pattern fabrication, and structural characterization, the experiment establishes a multiscale correlation among ligand structure, surface state, optical response, and patterned structures. Teaching practice demonstrates that this module effectively introduces key photolithographic concepts while maintaining operational safety and rigor. It significantly enhances the frontier relevance, engineering connection, and inquiry depth of the course, and promotes the development of students’ scientific thinking and problem awareness. This work provides a practical and transferable framework for incorporating photolithography into undergraduate laboratory education.

Key words: Photolithography, Micro/Nanofabrication, Nanocrystal, Ligand engineering, Research-oriented laboratory teaching