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Facile Synthesis of Worm-like Micelles by Visible Light Mediated Dispersion Polymerization Using Photoredox Catalyst

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Enabling Thermoreversible Physically Cross-Linked Polymerized Colloidal Array Photonic Crystals.

Sanford A Asher¹, Kyle W Kimble, Jeremy P Walker

¹Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Chemistry of Materials : a Publication of the American Chemical Society

|December 8, 2009

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers developed a new, inexpensive photonic crystal material using a thermoreversible poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel within a crystalline colloidal array. This material offers efficient diffraction and can be functionalized for chemical sensing applications.

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Area of Science:

Materials Science
Nanotechnology
Polymer Chemistry

Background:

Crystalline colloidal arrays (CCAs) are photonic crystals with unique optical properties.
Previous fabrication methods for CCAs were limited by geometry and cross-linking techniques.
Developing robust and versatile CCA materials is crucial for advanced photonic applications.

Purpose of the Study:

To create a novel, large-volume, and shape-versatile photonic crystal material.
To enable chemical functionalization of CCA materials for sensing applications.
To investigate the use of thermoreversible hydrogels in CCA fabrication.

Main Methods:

Physically cross-linking a thermoreversible poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel (TG) within a crystalline colloidal array (CCA).
Utilizing a modified process to avoid solvent freezing and preserve CCA order.
Fabricating TG-CCA materials in large volumes and various shapes.
Demonstrating chemical functionalization for pH sensing using carboxylates and phenol derivatives.

Main Results:

Successfully fabricated thermoreversible hydrogel-crystalline colloidal array (TGCCA) photonic crystals.
Achieved efficient photonic crystal diffraction comparable to covalently cross-linked systems.
Demonstrated the ability to dissolve the TG component, leaving a functionalized CCA.
Showcased TGCCA as responsive photonic crystal sensors for low and high pH environments.

Conclusions:

Thermoreversible hydrogels provide a versatile and scalable method for CCA fabrication.
TGCCA materials are stable, efficient photonic crystals with potential for chemical sensing.
The developed method overcomes previous geometric limitations and enables new functionalization strategies.