Light-Responsive Shape: From Micrometer-Long Nanocylinders to Compact Particles in Electrostatic Self-Assembly

Macromol Rapid Commun. 2018 Sep;39(17):e1700860. doi: 10.1002/marc.201700860. Epub 2018 Mar 5.

Abstract

A light-triggered shape change of supramolecular nanostructures is achieved through electrostatically self-assembly of linear polyelectrolytes and oppositely charged dyes in aqueous solution: Upon UV-irradiation, 1-µm-long, flexible cylinders with a cross-section of 10 nm convert into ellipsoids of 400 nm × 40 nm. The nano-object shape is encoded in the molecular dye structure.

Keywords: light irradiation; light-responsiveness; nanostructure; polyelectrolytes; self-assembly; supramolecular chemistry.

MeSH terms

  • Coloring Agents / chemical synthesis*
  • Coloring Agents / chemistry
  • Electrolytes / chemistry
  • Macromolecular Substances / chemical synthesis
  • Macromolecular Substances / chemistry
  • Molecular Structure
  • Nanostructures / chemistry*
  • Particle Size
  • Polymers / chemical synthesis*
  • Polymers / chemistry
  • Static Electricity
  • Ultraviolet Rays*

Substances

  • Coloring Agents
  • Electrolytes
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Polymers