Photoswitchable Surfactant-Driven Reversible Shape- and Color-Changing Block Copolymer Particles
Jinwoo Kim1, Hongseok Yun2, Young Jun Lee1
1Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea.
Journal of the American Chemical Society
|August 11, 2021
Summary
Researchers developed light-responsive polymer particles that change shape and color. These programmable smart materials offer reversible patterning for advanced applications like high-resolution displays.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Programmable smart materials are crucial for advanced applications.
- Light-responsive polymer particles offer dynamic control over material properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop block copolymer (BCP) particles with reversible shape and color changes.
- To investigate the mechanism of photo-induced morphological transitions.
Main Methods:
- Utilized spiropyran-dodecyltrimethylammoium bromide (SP-DTAB) surfactant for photoisomerization.
- Irradiated BCP particles with UV (365 nm) and visible light to induce shape changes.
- Characterized particle morphology and nanostructures using microscopy techniques.
Main Results:
- Spherical BCP particles formed under UV light due to hydrophilic surfactant.
- Prolate or oblate ellipsoidal BCP particles formed under visible light due to hydrophobic surfactant.
- Reversible shape switching between spheres and ellipsoids demonstrated over multiple cycles.
- Integrated shape- and color-switchable particles into a composite hydrogel.
Conclusions:
- Demonstrated reversible light-induced shape and color switching in BCP particles.
- Highlighted the potential of these particles for high-resolution, reversible patterning in displays.
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