Dynamic Hierarchical Structural Changes in Main-Chain Azobenzene Polymer Microparticles (IMAGE)

Ehime University

Dynamic Hierarchical Structural Changes in Main-Chain Azobenzene Polymer Microparticles

Caption

Light alters the structure of each azobenzene unit from the trans- to the cis-form. Because the azobenzene units are directly incorporated into the polymer backbone, this molecular-scale photoisomerization changes the polymer-chain conformation and the internal orientational structure of the microparticles. This hierarchical response is ultimately expressed as the deformation of polymer microparticles with diameters ranging from several to tens of micrometers. The micrographs show a deformed microparticle before and after ultraviolet-light irradiation.

Credit

Tomomichi Itoh, Shoma Yamamoto, Yuito Takechi, Yuki Itoh, Hiroaki Shimomoto, and Eiji Ihara

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