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Li X, Zhao W, Jin Y, Huang J, Chen D. Phase Behaviors and Photoresponsive Thin Films of Syndiotactic Side-Chain Liquid Crystalline Polymers with High Densely Substituted Azobenzene Mesogens. Chemphyschem 2024:e202400421. [PMID: 38825850 DOI: 10.1002/cphc.202400421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
Azobenzene-containing polymers (azopolymers) are a kind of fascinating stimuli-responsive materials with broad and versatile applications. In this work, a series of syndiotactic C1 type azopolymers of Pm-Azo-Cn with side-chain azobenzene mesogens of varied length alkoxy tails (n=1, 4, 8, 10) and different length alkyl spacers (m=6, 10) have been prepared via Rh-catalyzed carbene polymerization. The thermal properties and ordered assembly structures of thus synthesized side chain liquid crystalline polymers (SCLCPs) have been systematically investigated with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarized optical microscopy (POM) and variable-temperature small/wide-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS) analyses. P10-Azo-C1 and P10-Azo-C4 with shorter alkoxy tails exhibited hierarchical structures SmB/Colob and transformed into SmA/Colob at a higher temperature, while P10-Azo-C8 and P10-Azo-C10 with longer alkoxy tails only displayed side group dominated layered SmB phase and transformed into SmA phase at higher temperatures. For P6-Azo-C4 with a shorter spacer only showed a less ordered SmA phase owing to interference by partly coupling between the side chain azobenzene mesogens and the helical backbone. More importantly, the series high densely substituted syndiotactic C1 azopolymer thin films, exhibited evidently and smoothly reversible photoresponsive properties, which demonstrated promising photoresponsive device applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Li
- Key Laboratory of High Performance Polymer Materials and Technology (Ministry of Education), Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, 210023, Nanjing, China
- School of Information Technology, Suzhou Institute of Trade & Commerce, 215009, Suzhou, China
| | - Weiguang Zhao
- Key Laboratory of High Performance Polymer Materials and Technology (Ministry of Education), Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, 210023, Nanjing, China
| | - Ye Jin
- Key Laboratory of High Performance Polymer Materials and Technology (Ministry of Education), Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, 210023, Nanjing, China
| | - Jianjia Huang
- Key Laboratory of High Performance Polymer Materials and Technology (Ministry of Education), Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, 210023, Nanjing, China
| | - Dongzhong Chen
- Key Laboratory of High Performance Polymer Materials and Technology (Ministry of Education), Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, 210023, Nanjing, China
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2
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Kawakami C, Hara M, Nagano S, Shimomoto H, Yorimoto Y, Yamada T, Oda S, Ihara E, Seki T. Assembly Structure Formation in Bulk and Ultrathin Films of Poly(substituted methylene) Having an Azobenzene Side Chain. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2024; 40:11297-11306. [PMID: 38755745 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.4c01168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
The density of the side chain introduced to a polymer main chain greatly influences the properties and functions of the polymer. This work first reports on the packing structure and properties at an interface of a poly(substituted methylene) where an azobenzene side chain is introduced at every carbon atom in the main chain (C1PAz). The structure and properties are compared with those of a conventional vinyl polymer [poly(methacrylate)] possessing an identical side-chain structure (C2PAz). The packing structure in the bulk state analyzed by X-ray measurements revealed that C1PAz adopts a highly ordered rectangular unit cell structure, whereas C2PAz shows a less ordered lamellar one. Langmuir film balance experiments indicated that both polymers with the trans-azobenzene give essentially the identical 2D side-chain occupying area on water, which agrees well with the smectic B (hexatic packing) model based on the X-ray data. Upon transfer onto a solid substrate, only C1PAz shows a conformational transformation to a spread bilayer-type layer, most probably due to conformational frustration stemming from the crowding of the side chains. This study proposes new insights into the effects of side-chain density on the self-assembly and photoreaction of azobenzene-containing polymers, which are expected to expand the possibilities of polymer design for various applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chikara Kawakami
- Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
| | - Mitsuo Hara
- Faculty of Engineering and Design, Kagawa University, 2217-20, Hayashi-cho, Takamatsu 761-0396, Japan
| | - Shusaku Nagano
- Department of Chemistry, Rikkyo University, 3-34-1, Nishiikebukuro, Toyoshima-ku, Tokyo 171-8501, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Shimomoto
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Ehime University, 3 Bunko-cho, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8577, Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Yorimoto
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Ehime University, 3 Bunko-cho, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8577, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Yamada
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Ehime University, 3 Bunko-cho, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8577, Japan
| | - Shuichiro Oda
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Ehime University, 3 Bunko-cho, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8577, Japan
| | - Eiji Ihara
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Ehime University, 3 Bunko-cho, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8577, Japan
| | - Takahiro Seki
- Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
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3
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Kawakami C, Hara M, Nagano S, Seki T. Induction of Highly Ordered Liquid Crystalline Phase of an Azobenzene Side Chain Polymer by Contact with 4'-Pentyl-4-cyanobiphenyl: An In Situ Study. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2023; 39:619-626. [PMID: 36545757 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.2c02950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The orientation of liquid crystal (LC) molecules is significantly governed by solid interfaces and free surfaces, and a variety of functional materials have been developed using these properties. Although LC materials are already in industrial use, particularly for LC display panels, various studies have been conducted in recent years to better grasp the interface behavior of LC molecules. In this work, we succeeded in in situ observations of induction of higher ordered LC phases at the interface between a side-chain LC azobenzene polymer film with a thickness of ∼400 nm and a low-molecular-mass nematic LC, 4'-pentyl-4-cyanobiphenyl of 35 μm thickness, using small-angle X-ray scattering measurements and polarized optical microscopy. It is revealed that the two different mesogens cooperatively form hybrid higher ordered smectic LC phases probably through weak electron transfer immediately after interfacial contact. The induction process consists of three stages in terms of dynamic structure evolutions. Upon UV irradiation, the hybrid smectic LC structure diminished. This study provides new insights into the behavior of LC molecules near the alignment film on the solid substrate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chikara Kawakami
- Department of Molecular and Macromolecular Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8603, Japan
| | - Mitsuo Hara
- Department of Molecular and Macromolecular Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8603, Japan
| | - Shusaku Nagano
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Rikkyo University, 3-34-1 Nishi-Ikebukuro, Toshima, Tokyo 171-8501, Japan
| | - Takahiro Seki
- Department of Molecular and Macromolecular Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8603, Japan
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4
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Tunable Thin Film Periodicities by Controlling the Orientation of Cylindrical Domains in Side Chain Liquid Crystalline Block Copolymers. INT J POLYM SCI 2022. [DOI: 10.1155/2022/8286518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
A facile approach to block copolymer (BCP) domain orientation control in thin films has been demonstrated by employing a BCP with liquid crystalline semifluorinated side chains by tuning the composition of the copolymers of the bottom surface layer (BSL). 1H,1H,2H,2H-Perfluorodecanethiol was attached to a precursor polymer, polystyrene-block-poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PS-b-PGMA), to obtain a novel BCP with a C8F17-containing liquid crystal (LC) side chain (PS-b-P8FMA). Anisotropic hexagonally packed cylinder domains in a bulk state were first characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). The observed morphology transition of BCPs with different fluorinated side chain lengths of –CF3, –C4F9, and –C6F13 suggested the decisive effects of LC side chain ordering on the anisotropic nanostructures. In the thin film study, poly(methyl methacrylate-random-2,2,2-trifluoroethyl methacrylate-random-methacrylic acid) (PMMA-ran-PTFEMA-ran-PMAA) solution was used as BSLs for tuning the desired periodicities. The surface free energy (SFE) of BSL was simply tailored by changing the composition of comonomers. In atomic force microscopy (AFM) characterization, long-range ordered perpendicularly oriented BCP domains in a hexagonally packed array or parallel oriented BCP domains as striation patterns were easily fabricated on non-preferential or preferential BSL, respectively. The study presents a novel approach to tunable thin film periodicities without changing or modifying BCPs, which is desired in next-generation BCP lithography.
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5
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Sakaino H, Broer DJ, Meskers SCJ, Meijer EW, Vantomme G. Photo‐Imprinting of the Helical Organization in Liquid‐Crystal Networks Using Achiral Monomers and Circularly Polarized Light. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202200839. [PMID: 35132751 PMCID: PMC9305743 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202200839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Control over molecular motion is facilitated in materials with highly ordered nanoscale structures. Here we report on the fabrication of cholesteric liquid‐crystal networks by circularly polarized light irradiation, without the need for chiral dopant or plasticizer. The polymer network is obtained by photopolymerization of a smectic achiral diacrylate mesogen consisting of an azobenzene core and discrete oligodimethylsiloxane tails. The synchronous helical photoalignment and photopolymerization originate from the cooperative movement of the mesogens ordered in well‐defined responsive structures, together with the flexibility of the oligodimethylsiloxane blocks. The resulting thin films show excellent thermal stability and light‐induced memory features with reversible responses. Additionally, we demonstrate the fabrication of photo‐patterned films of liquid‐crystal networks with opposite helical senses. These findings provide a new method to make light‐controllable chiroptical materials with exciting applications in optics and photonics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hirotoshi Sakaino
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems Laboratory of Macromolecular and Organic Chemistry Eindhoven University of Technology P.O. Box 513 5600 MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
- Electronic & Imaging Materials Research Laboratories Toray Industries, Inc. 3-1-2 Sonoyama Otsu Shiga 520-0842 Japan
| | - Dirk J. Broer
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems Laboratory of Stimuli-Responsive Functional Materials and Devices Eindhoven University of Technology P.O. Box 513 5600 MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
| | - Stefan C. J. Meskers
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems Molecular Materials and Nanosystems Eindhoven University of Technology P.O. Box 513 5600 MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
| | - E. W. Meijer
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems Laboratory of Macromolecular and Organic Chemistry Eindhoven University of Technology P.O. Box 513 5600 MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
| | - Ghislaine Vantomme
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems Laboratory of Macromolecular and Organic Chemistry Eindhoven University of Technology P.O. Box 513 5600 MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
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6
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Sakaino H, Broer DJ, Meskers SCJ, Meijer EW, Vantomme G. Photo‐Imprinting of the Helical Organization in Liquid‐Crystal Networks Using Achiral Monomers and Circularly Polarized Light. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202200839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hirotoshi Sakaino
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems Laboratory of Macromolecular and Organic Chemistry Eindhoven University of Technology P.O. Box 513 5600 MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
- Electronic & Imaging Materials Research Laboratories Toray Industries, Inc. 3-1-2 Sonoyama Otsu Shiga 520-0842 Japan
| | - Dirk J. Broer
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems Laboratory of Stimuli-Responsive Functional Materials and Devices Eindhoven University of Technology P.O. Box 513 5600 MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
| | - Stefan C. J. Meskers
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems Molecular Materials and Nanosystems Eindhoven University of Technology P.O. Box 513 5600 MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
| | - E. W. Meijer
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems Laboratory of Macromolecular and Organic Chemistry Eindhoven University of Technology P.O. Box 513 5600 MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
| | - Ghislaine Vantomme
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems Laboratory of Macromolecular and Organic Chemistry Eindhoven University of Technology P.O. Box 513 5600 MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
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7
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Luo L, Tang Z, Yang W, Liu D, Shen Z, Fan XH. Thickness-Dependent Photo-Aligned Thin-Film Morphologies of a Block Copolymer Containing an Azobenzene-Based Liquid Crystalline Polymer and a Poly(ionic liquid). LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2021; 37:9774-9784. [PMID: 34342997 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.1c01314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Photo-induced alignment of the thin-film morphologies of azobenzene-containing block copolymers (BCPs) is an effective method to obtain a uniaxial pattern of nanocylinders. Although film thickness is an important factor affecting the self-assembly of BCP thin films, the influence of film thickness on the photo-induced alignment of BCP thin-film morphology has never been systematically studied. Herein, we report the thickness-dependent photo-aligned film morphologies of the BCP containing an azobenzene-based liquid crystalline polymer and a poly(ionic liquid) (PIL), with a perfect uniaxial pattern of PIL nanocylinders. For films aligned with the unpolarized light (UPL), the out-of-plane PIL nanocylinders can be obtained in the film with a thickness of only 1L0 (∼30 nm, where L0 is the layer spacing of the hexagonally packed cylinder array), which is far lower than the thickness (more than 4L0) of the thermally annealed film needed to obtain the same morphology. This change is attributed to the orientation effect of UPL on azobenzene mesogens that suppresses the excluded volume effect. For the films aligned with linearly polarized light (LPL), to take advantage of the excluded volume effect to obtain the planar orientation of azobenzene mesogens, the thickness should be controlled to be no more than 3L0 to achieve an in-plane uniaxial alignment of PIL nanocylinders. The above relationship between the morphology and thickness of photo-aligned film eliminates the obstacles encountered in preparing films with well-ordered photo-aligned morphologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longfei Luo
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Zhehao Tang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Weilu Yang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Dong Liu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Zhihao Shen
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Xing-He Fan
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
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8
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Sakaino H, Lamers BAG, Meskers SCJ, Meijer EW, Vantomme G. Photo‐controlled alignment and helical organization in main‐chain liquid crystalline alternating polymers. JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/pol.20210057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Hirotoshi Sakaino
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems and Laboratory of Macromolecular and Organic Chemistry Eindhoven University of Technology Eindhoven The Netherlands
- Electronic & Imaging Materials Research Laboratories Toray Industries, Inc. Otsu Japan
| | - Brigitte A. G. Lamers
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems and Laboratory of Macromolecular and Organic Chemistry Eindhoven University of Technology Eindhoven The Netherlands
| | - Stefan C. J. Meskers
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems and Molecular Materials and Nanosystems Eindhoven University of Technology Eindhoven The Netherlands
| | - E. W. Meijer
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems and Laboratory of Macromolecular and Organic Chemistry Eindhoven University of Technology Eindhoven The Netherlands
| | - Ghislaine Vantomme
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems and Laboratory of Macromolecular and Organic Chemistry Eindhoven University of Technology Eindhoven The Netherlands
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9
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Ito A, Norisada Y, Inada S, Kondo M, Sasaki T, Sakamoto M, Ono H, Kawatsuki N. Photoinduced Reorientation and Photofunctional Control of Liquid Crystalline Copolymers with in Situ-Formed N-Benzylideneaniline Derivative Side Groups. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2021; 37:1164-1172. [PMID: 33326742 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.0c03059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The influence of the annealing conditions on the thermally stimulated photoinduced molecular reorientation of a photoinactive liquid crystalline polymethacrylate with phenyl aldehyde and benzoic acid side groups (P1) doped with 4-methoxyaniline, which forms photoalignable 4-methoxy-N-benzylideneaniline (MNBA) side groups in situ, was investigated. Light exposure and subsequent thermal stimulation under a N2 atmosphere realized sufficient cooperative molecular reorientation (D > 0.7), but the simultaneous thermal hydrolysis of the MNBA groups under humid air lowered the molecular reorientation performance. By contrast, subsequent thermal hydrolysis of MNBA after molecular reorientation introduced different aromatic amines into the reoriented P1 film, which regulated the birefringence and photofunctionality of the oriented film.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akari Ito
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Hyogo, 2188 Shosha, Himeji 671-2280, Japan
| | - Yunosuke Norisada
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Hyogo, 2188 Shosha, Himeji 671-2280, Japan
| | - Shogo Inada
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Hyogo, 2188 Shosha, Himeji 671-2280, Japan
| | - Mizuho Kondo
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Hyogo, 2188 Shosha, Himeji 671-2280, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Sasaki
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, 1603-1 Kamitomioka, Nagaoka 940-2188, Japan
| | - Moritsugu Sakamoto
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, 1603-1 Kamitomioka, Nagaoka 940-2188, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Ono
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, 1603-1 Kamitomioka, Nagaoka 940-2188, Japan
| | - Nobuhiro Kawatsuki
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Hyogo, 2188 Shosha, Himeji 671-2280, Japan
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10
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Macroscopic Regulation of Hierarchical Nanostructures in Liquid-crystalline Block Copolymers towards Functional Materials. CHINESE JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10118-021-2531-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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11
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Matsunaga K, Kukai W, Ishizaki M, Kurihara M, Yamamoto S, Mitsuishi M, Yabu H, Nagano S, Matsui J. Formation of Perpendicularly Aligned Sub-10 nm Nanocylinders in Poly( N-dodecylacrylamide- b-ethylene glycol) Block Copolymer Films by Hierarchical Phase Separation. Macromolecules 2020. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.0c00838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Shusaku Nagano
- Nagoya University Venture Business Laboratory, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
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12
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Lyu X, Xiao A, Shi D, Li Y, Shen Z, Chen EQ, Zheng S, Fan XH, Zhou QF. Liquid crystalline polymers: Discovery, development, and the future. POLYMER 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2020.122740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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13
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Kitamura I, Kato K, Berk RB, Nakai T, Hara M, Nagano S, Seki T. Photo-triggered large mass transport driven only by a photoresponsive surface skin layer. Sci Rep 2020; 10:12664. [PMID: 32728143 PMCID: PMC7391747 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-69605-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the discovery 25 years ago, many investigations have reported light-induced macroscopic mass migration of azobenzene-containing polymer films. Various mechanisms have been proposed to account for these motions. This study explores light-inert side chain liquid crystalline polymer (SCLCP) films with a photoresponsive polymer only at the free surface and reports the key effects of the topmost surface to generate surface relief gratings (SRGs) for SCLCP films. The top-coating with an azobenzene-containing SCLCP is achieved by the Langmuir-Schaefer (LS) method or surface segregation. A negligible amount of the photoresponsive skin layer can induce large SRGs upon patterned UV light irradiation. Conversely, the motion of the SRG-forming azobenzene SCLCP is impeded by the existence of a LS monolayer of the octadecyl side chain polymer on the top. These results are well understood by considering the Marangoni flow driven by the surface tension instability. This approach should pave the way toward in-situ inscription of the surface topography for light-inert materials and eliminate the strong light absorption of azobenzene, which is a drawback in optical device applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Issei Kitamura
- Department of Molecular and Macromolecular Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa, Nagoya, 464-8603, Japan
| | - Keisuke Kato
- Department of Molecular and Macromolecular Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa, Nagoya, 464-8603, Japan
| | - Rafael Benjamin Berk
- Department of Chemistry and Catalysis Research Center, Technical University of Munich, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Takashi Nakai
- Department of Molecular and Macromolecular Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa, Nagoya, 464-8603, Japan
| | - Mitsuo Hara
- Department of Molecular and Macromolecular Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa, Nagoya, 464-8603, Japan
| | - Shusaku Nagano
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Rikkyo University, 3-34-1 Nishi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo, 171-8501, Japan.
| | - Takahiro Seki
- Department of Molecular and Macromolecular Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa, Nagoya, 464-8603, Japan.
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14
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Chen Y, Huang S, Wang T, Yu H. Enhanced Ordering and Efficient Photoalignment of Nanostructures in Block Copolymers Enabled by Halogen Bond. Macromolecules 2020. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.9b02686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Yuxuan Chen
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, College of Engineering and Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Shuai Huang
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, College of Engineering and Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Tianjie Wang
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, College of Engineering and Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Haifeng Yu
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, College of Engineering and Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
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15
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Nagano S. Random Planar Orientation in Liquid-Crystalline Block Copolymers with Azobenzene Side Chains by Surface Segregation. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2019; 35:5673-5683. [PMID: 30096982 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.8b01824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Rodlike liquid-crystalline (LC) mesogens preferentially adopt a homeotropic orientation by excluded volume effects at the free surface in side-chain LC (SCLC) polymer films. The homeotropic orientation is not advantageous for in-plane LC alignment processes. Surface segregation of polymers is the phenomenon in which one component with a low surface free energy covers the surface in a mixture of two or more polymers or a block copolymer film. In SCLC block copolymer films, the surface segregation structure induces a random planar orientation due to the formation of a microphase-separated interface parallel to the substrate via the covering of one of the segregated polymer blocks. This feature article focuses on the unique, random planar orientation induced by the surface segregation of SCLC block copolymer films with the photoresponsive azobenzene (Az) mesogenic group. A transition moment of the Az mesogens is parallel to the molecular long axis, and light irradiation is conducted perpendicular to the film surface in general photoreaction processes. Therefore, the homeotropic molecular orientation in the SCLC polymer systems with Az mesogenic units inhibits efficient photoreaction reorientations in thin films. The random planar orientations by the surface segregation of a coil block in SCLC block polymers provide efficient in-plane photoreorientation and photoswitching with LC hierarchical mesostructures, such as microphase-separated structures of SCLC block copolymers and laminated LC polymer films. On the other hand, surface-segregated SCLC blocks form a high-density polymer LC brush layer with a random planar orientation by self-assembly, which exhibits efficient angular selective photoreactions. These approaches using the surface segregation of SCLC block copolymers are expected to offer new concepts for the LC photoalignment process for LC polymer devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shusaku Nagano
- Venture Business Laboratory, Nagoya University , Furo-cho, Chikusa, Nagoya 464-8603 , Japan
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16
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Kitamura I, Oishi K, Hara M, Nagano S, Seki T. Photoinitiated Marangoni flow morphing in a liquid crystalline polymer film directed by super-inkjet printing patterns. Sci Rep 2019; 9:2556. [PMID: 30796238 PMCID: PMC6385296 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-38709-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Slight contaminations existing in a material lead to substantial defects in applied paint. Herein, we propose a strategy to convert this nuisance to a technologically useful process by using an azobenzene-containing side chain liquid crystalline (SCLCP) polymer. This method allows for a developer-free phototriggered surface fabrication. The mass migration is initiated by UV-light irradiation and directed by super-inkjet printed patterns using another polymer on the SCLCP film surface. UV irradiation results in a liquid crystal-to-isotropic phase transition, and this phase change immediately initiates a mass migration to form crater or trench structures due to the surface tension instability known as Marangoni flow. The transferred volume of the film reaches approximately 440-fold that of the polymer ink, and therefore, the printed ink pattern acts as a latent image towards the amplification of surface morphing. This printing-aided photoprocess for surface inscription is expected to provide a new platform of polymer microfabrication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Issei Kitamura
- Department of Molecular and Macromolecular Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa, Nagoya, 464-8603, Japan
| | - Kazuaki Oishi
- Department of Molecular and Macromolecular Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa, Nagoya, 464-8603, Japan
| | - Mitsuo Hara
- Department of Molecular and Macromolecular Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa, Nagoya, 464-8603, Japan
| | - Shusaku Nagano
- Nagoya University Venture Business Laboratory, Furo-cho, Chikusa, Nagoya, 464-8603, Japan.
| | - Takahiro Seki
- Department of Molecular and Macromolecular Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa, Nagoya, 464-8603, Japan.
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17
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Chen Y, Huang S, Wang T, Dong Z, Yu H. Confined Self-Assembly Enables Stabilization and Patterning of Nanostructures in Liquid-Crystalline Block Copolymers. Macromolecules 2019. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.8b02435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Yuxuan Chen
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, College of Engineering and Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Shuai Huang
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, College of Engineering and Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Tianjie Wang
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, College of Engineering and Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Zhijiao Dong
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, College of Engineering and Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Haifeng Yu
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, College of Engineering and Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
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18
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Mukai K, Imai K, Hara M, Nagano S, Seki T. A High‐Density Azobenzene Side Chain Polymer Brush for Azimuthal and Zenithal Orientational Photoswitching of a Nematic Liquid Crystal. CHEMPHOTOCHEM 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/cptc.201800234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Koji Mukai
- Department of Molecular and Macromolecular ChemistryGraduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University Furo-cho, Chikusa Nagoya 464-8603 Japan
| | - Kenjiro Imai
- Department of Molecular and Macromolecular ChemistryGraduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University Furo-cho, Chikusa Nagoya 464-8603 Japan
| | - Mitsuo Hara
- Department of Molecular and Macromolecular ChemistryGraduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University Furo-cho, Chikusa Nagoya 464-8603 Japan
| | - Shusaku Nagano
- Nagoya University Venture Business Laboratory Furo-cho, Chikusa Nagoya 464-8603 Japan
| | - Takahiro Seki
- Department of Molecular and Macromolecular ChemistryGraduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University Furo-cho, Chikusa Nagoya 464-8603 Japan
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19
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Imanishi R, Nagashima Y, Hara M, Nagano S, Seki T. Collective Competition between Two Mesogens showing Opposing Orientational Nature in Side Chain Liquid Crystalline Polymers. CHEM LETT 2019. [DOI: 10.1246/cl.180879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ryota Imanishi
- Department of Molecular and Macromolecular Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8603, Japan
| | - Yuki Nagashima
- Department of Molecular and Macromolecular Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8603, Japan
| | - Mitsuo Hara
- Department of Molecular and Macromolecular Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8603, Japan
| | - Shusaku Nagano
- Nagoya University Venture Business Laboratory, Furo-cho, Chikusa, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8603, Japan
| | - Takahiro Seki
- Department of Molecular and Macromolecular Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8603, Japan
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20
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Ito S, Akiyama H, Sekizawa R, Mori M, Yoshida M, Kihara H. Light-Induced Reworkable Adhesives Based on ABA-type Triblock Copolymers with Azopolymer Termini. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2018; 10:32649-32658. [PMID: 30152226 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.8b09319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Photocurable adhesives based on polymers and resins are an integral part of different production processes because of their fast curing and local area bonding ability. Recently, dismantlable adhesives have attracted a lot of attention for recycling adherends or replacement of adhesion defects. However, adhesives that allow repeatable bonding and debonding solely by light irradiation, i.e., without heat activation, are lacking. Here, ABA-type triblock copolymers consisting of poly(meth)acrylates bearing an azobenzene moiety (A block) and 2-ethylhexyl (B block) side chains were synthesized and utilized as photocurable adhesives. In contrast to the azo homopolymers, the block copolymer structure and incorporation of the soft middle block actualized a low concentration of the azobenzene moiety and consequently, higher flexibility of the resultant copolymers. This enabled film formation of the azobenzene-based adhesives and light-induced bonding for the first time. On the basis of the photoisomerization of the azobenzene moiety, changes in their viscoelastic property, i.e., softening and hardening, were induced by UV irradiation at 365 nm (50-100 mW cm-2) and green light irradiation at 520 nm (40 mW cm-2), respectively. In fact, two glass substrates were bonded with the self-standing polymer film, which was sequentially softened and hardened upon UV and green light irradiations. They exhibited shear strengths of 1.5-2.0 MPa, and UV irradiation lowered the adhesion strength to 0.5-0.1 MPa. Interestingly, the repeatable bonding and debonding abilities of the polymers were accomplished without loss of the adhesion strength.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shotaro Ito
- Research Institute for Sustainable Chemistry , National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST Chugoku) , 3-11-32 Kagamiyama , Higashihiroshima , Hiroshima 739-0024 , Japan
| | - Haruhisa Akiyama
- Research Institute for Sustainable Chemistry , National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) , Tsukuba Central 5, 1-1-1 Higashi , Tsukuba , Ibaraki 305-8565 , Japan
| | - Reiko Sekizawa
- Research Institute for Sustainable Chemistry , National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST Chugoku) , 3-11-32 Kagamiyama , Higashihiroshima , Hiroshima 739-0024 , Japan
| | - Miyuki Mori
- Research Institute for Sustainable Chemistry , National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST Chugoku) , 3-11-32 Kagamiyama , Higashihiroshima , Hiroshima 739-0024 , Japan
| | - Masaru Yoshida
- Research Institute for Sustainable Chemistry , National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) , Tsukuba Central 5, 1-1-1 Higashi , Tsukuba , Ibaraki 305-8565 , Japan
| | - Hideyuki Kihara
- Research Institute for Sustainable Chemistry , National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST Chugoku) , 3-11-32 Kagamiyama , Higashihiroshima , Hiroshima 739-0024 , Japan
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21
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Cai F, Huang Z, Zheng F, Lu X, Lu Q. Enhancement of the Photoalignment Stability of Block Copolymer Brushes by Anchor Segments. MACROMOL CHEM PHYS 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/macp.201800153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Feng Cai
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering; State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites; Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Shanghai 200240 China
| | - Zhangjun Huang
- Institute des Sciences et Ingénierie Chimiques; Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne; CH-1015 Lausanne Switzerland
| | - Feng Zheng
- School of Chemical Science and Engineering; Tongji University; Shanghai 200092 China
| | - Xuemin Lu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering; State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites; Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Shanghai 200240 China
| | - Qinghua Lu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering; State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites; Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Shanghai 200240 China
- School of Chemical Science and Engineering; Tongji University; Shanghai 200092 China
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22
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Seki T. A Wide Array of Photoinduced Motions in Molecular and Macromolecular Assemblies at Interfaces. BULLETIN OF THE CHEMICAL SOCIETY OF JAPAN 2018. [DOI: 10.1246/bcsj.20180076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Takahiro Seki
- Department of Molecular and Macromolecular Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8603, Japan
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23
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Nagano S. Surface and interface designs in side-chain liquid crystalline polymer systems for photoalignment. Polym J 2018. [DOI: 10.1038/s41428-018-0100-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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24
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Byun IJ, Lee JH, Jeong KU, Han YK. Synthesis of high χ block copolymers with LC moieties and PMMA segments using RAFT polymerization, and their nanostructure morphologies. POLYMER 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2018.04.072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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25
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Ito S, Yamashita A, Akiyama H, Kihara H, Yoshida M. Azobenzene-Based (Meth)acrylates: Controlled Radical Polymerization, Photoresponsive Solid–Liquid Phase Transition Behavior, and Application to Reworkable Adhesives. Macromolecules 2018. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.8b00156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Shotaro Ito
- Research Institute of Sustainable Chemistry, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST Chugoku), 3-11-32, Kagamiyama, Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima 739-0046, Japan
| | - Aishi Yamashita
- Research Institute of Sustainable Chemistry, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba Central 5, 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8568, Japan
| | - Haruhisa Akiyama
- Research Institute of Sustainable Chemistry, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba Central 5, 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8568, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Kihara
- Research Institute of Sustainable Chemistry, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST Chugoku), 3-11-32, Kagamiyama, Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima 739-0046, Japan
| | - Masaru Yoshida
- Research Institute of Sustainable Chemistry, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST Chugoku), 3-11-32, Kagamiyama, Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima 739-0046, Japan
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26
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Pan S, Ho JY, Chigrinov VG, Kwok HS. Novel Photoalignment Method Based on Low-Molecular-Weight Azobenzene Dyes and Its Application for High-Dichroic-Ratio Polarizers. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2018; 10:9032-9037. [PMID: 29442496 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.8b00104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Photoalignment is a simple technique for the manipulation of molecular orientations, which has been widely used in liquid crystal displays. Here, we propose a novel photoalignment method, in which an azobenzene dye thin film is deposited by thermal evaporation and in situ exposed to linearly polarized light simultaneously. We obtain polarizers with a dichroic ratio of up to 62, which is the highest value ever realized by a photoalignment method. Moreover, the polarizing thin film has a thickness of just 200 nm, compatible with flexible substrates, making it perfect for use as a dichroic polarizer in ultrathin and flexible displays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su Pan
- State Key Lab on Advanced Displays and Optoelectronics, Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering , Hong Kong University of Science and Technology , Clear Water Bay , Kowloon , Hong Kong , China
| | - Jacob Y Ho
- State Key Lab on Advanced Displays and Optoelectronics, Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering , Hong Kong University of Science and Technology , Clear Water Bay , Kowloon , Hong Kong , China
| | - Vladimir G Chigrinov
- State Key Lab on Advanced Displays and Optoelectronics, Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering , Hong Kong University of Science and Technology , Clear Water Bay , Kowloon , Hong Kong , China
| | - Hoi Sing Kwok
- State Key Lab on Advanced Displays and Optoelectronics, Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering , Hong Kong University of Science and Technology , Clear Water Bay , Kowloon , Hong Kong , China
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27
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Kawatsuki N, Inada S, Fujii R, Kondo M. Photoinduced Birefringent Pattern and Photoinactivation of Liquid-Crystalline Copolymer Films with Benzoic Acid and Phenylaldehyde Side Groups. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2018; 34:2089-2095. [PMID: 29320192 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.7b04096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
In situ formation of N-benzylideneaniline (NBA) side groups achieved photoinduced cooperative reorientation of photoinactive copolymers with phenylaldehyde (PA) and benzoic acid (BA) side groups doped with 4-methoxyaniline (AN) molecules. Thermally stimulated molecular reorientation of the side groups was generated due to the axis-selective photoreaction of the NBA moieties. Selective coating with AN on the copolymer film formed NBA moieties in the desired region, resulting in a photoinduced birefringent pattern. Additionally, postannealing at an elevated temperature for a long time attained photoinactivation of the reoriented film, and recoating with AN to form NBA achieved the multiple birefringent patterns and repatterning of the reoriented structures. The slow thermal hydrolysis of NBA, which was 50 times slower than the thermally stimulated self-organization of the side groups due to the presence of BA side groups, contributed to the photodurability of the reoriented film and multiple birefringent patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nobuhiro Kawatsuki
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Hyogo , Shosha, Himeji 671-2280, Japan
| | - Shogo Inada
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Hyogo , Shosha, Himeji 671-2280, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Fujii
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Hyogo , Shosha, Himeji 671-2280, Japan
| | - Mizuho Kondo
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Hyogo , Shosha, Himeji 671-2280, Japan
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28
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Uchida J, Yoshio M, Sato S, Yokoyama H, Fujita M, Kato T. Self‐Assembly of Giant Spherical Liquid‐Crystalline Complexes and Formation of Nanostructured Dynamic Gels that Exhibit Self‐Healing Properties. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201707740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Junya Uchida
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology School of Engineering The University of Tokyo Hongo Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-8656 Japan
| | - Masafumi Yoshio
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology School of Engineering The University of Tokyo Hongo Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-8656 Japan
- Current address: Semiconductor Nano-interfaces Group, Research Center for Functional Materials National Institute for Materials Science Namiki, Tsukuba Ibaraki 305-0044 Japan
| | - Sota Sato
- Department of Applied Chemistry School of Engineering The University of Tokyo Hongo Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-8656 Japan
- WPI-AIMR, Department of Chemistry and JST ERATO Tohoku University Katahira, Aoba-ku Sendai 980-8577 Japan
- Current address: Department of Chemistry School of Science and JST ERATO The University of Tokyo Hongo Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-0033 Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Yokoyama
- Department of Applied Chemistry School of Engineering The University of Tokyo Hongo Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-8656 Japan
| | - Makoto Fujita
- Department of Applied Chemistry School of Engineering The University of Tokyo Hongo Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-8656 Japan
| | - Takashi Kato
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology School of Engineering The University of Tokyo Hongo Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-8656 Japan
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29
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Uchida J, Yoshio M, Sato S, Yokoyama H, Fujita M, Kato T. Self‐Assembly of Giant Spherical Liquid‐Crystalline Complexes and Formation of Nanostructured Dynamic Gels that Exhibit Self‐Healing Properties. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2017; 56:14085-14089. [DOI: 10.1002/anie.201707740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Junya Uchida
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology School of Engineering The University of Tokyo Hongo Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-8656 Japan
| | - Masafumi Yoshio
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology School of Engineering The University of Tokyo Hongo Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-8656 Japan
- Current address: Semiconductor Nano-interfaces Group, Research Center for Functional Materials National Institute for Materials Science Namiki, Tsukuba Ibaraki 305-0044 Japan
| | - Sota Sato
- Department of Applied Chemistry School of Engineering The University of Tokyo Hongo Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-8656 Japan
- WPI-AIMR, Department of Chemistry and JST ERATO Tohoku University Katahira, Aoba-ku Sendai 980-8577 Japan
- Current address: Department of Chemistry School of Science and JST ERATO The University of Tokyo Hongo Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-0033 Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Yokoyama
- Department of Applied Chemistry School of Engineering The University of Tokyo Hongo Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-8656 Japan
| | - Makoto Fujita
- Department of Applied Chemistry School of Engineering The University of Tokyo Hongo Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-8656 Japan
| | - Takashi Kato
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology School of Engineering The University of Tokyo Hongo Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-8656 Japan
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30
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Nickmans K, Bögels GM, Sánchez-Somolinos C, Murphy JN, Leclère P, Voets IK, Schenning APHJ. 3D Orientational Control in Self-Assembled Thin Films with Sub-5 nm Features by Light. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2017; 13:1701043. [PMID: 28736935 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201701043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2017] [Revised: 06/01/2017] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
While self-assembled molecular building blocks could lead to many next-generation functional organic nanomaterials, control over the thin-film morphologies to yield monolithic sub-5 nm patterns with 3D orientational control at macroscopic length scales remains a grand challenge. A series of photoresponsive hybrid oligo(dimethylsiloxane) liquid crystals that form periodic cylindrical nanostructures with periodicities between 3.8 and 5.1 nm is studied. The liquid crystals can be aligned in-plane by exposure to actinic linearly polarized light and out-of-plane by exposure to actinic unpolarized light. The photoalignment is most efficient when performed just under the clearing point of the liquid crystal, at which the cylindrical nanostructures are reoriented within minutes. These results allow the generation of highly ordered sub-5 nm patterns in thin films at macroscopic length scales, with control over the orientation in a noncontact fashion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koen Nickmans
- Laboratory of Functional Organic Materials and Devices, Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600, MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Gerardus M Bögels
- Laboratory of Functional Organic Materials and Devices, Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600, MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Carlos Sánchez-Somolinos
- Departamento de Física de la Materia Condensada, Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Aragón (ICMA), CSIC-Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Jeffrey N Murphy
- Laboratory of Functional Organic Materials and Devices, Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600, MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Philippe Leclère
- Laboratory for Chemistry of Novel Materials, Center for Innovation and Research in Materials and Polymers (CIRMAP), University of Mons (UMONS), Place du Parc 20, B 7000, Mons, Belgium
| | - Ilja K Voets
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600, MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Laboratory of Macromolecular and Organic Chemistry, Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600, MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Laboratory of Physical Chemistry, Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600, MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Albertus P H J Schenning
- Laboratory of Functional Organic Materials and Devices, Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600, MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600, MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
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31
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Xie HL, Li X, Suh HS, Ren JX, Wan LS, Craig GSW, Arges CG, Nealey PF. Water-soluble top coats for orientation control of liquid crystal-containing block copolymer films. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/polb.24420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- He-Lou Xie
- College of Chemistry; Xiangtan University; Xiangtan Hunan Province 411105 China
| | - Xiao Li
- Institute for Molecular Engineering; The University of Chicago; Chicago Illinois 60637
| | - Hyo Seon Suh
- Institute for Molecular Engineering; The University of Chicago; Chicago Illinois 60637
| | - Jia-Xing Ren
- Institute for Molecular Engineering; The University of Chicago; Chicago Illinois 60637
| | - Ling-Shu Wan
- Institute of Polymer Science; Zhejiang University; Hangzhou 310027 China
| | - Gordon S. W. Craig
- Institute for Molecular Engineering; The University of Chicago; Chicago Illinois 60637
| | - Christopher G. Arges
- Cain Department of Chemical Engineering; Louisiana State University; Baton Rouge Louisiana 70803
| | - Paul F. Nealey
- Institute for Molecular Engineering; The University of Chicago; Chicago Illinois 60637
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32
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Wang T, Li X, Dong Z, Huang S, Yu H. Vertical Orientation of Nanocylinders in Liquid-Crystalline Block Copolymers Directed by Light. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2017; 9:24864-24872. [PMID: 28670902 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.7b06086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The microphase-separated nanostructures of block copolymers are ideal nanotemplates for advanced fabrication, but they are greatly limited by the rapid and precise manipulation especially at room temperature. Here we report one method of light-directed regulation of nanostructures in thin films of liquid-crystalline diblock copolymers containing azobenzene units as photoresponsive mesogens. The in-plane orientated nanocylinders in thin film can be light-directed into out-of-plane on a time scale of seconds at room temperature. This fast regulation is beneficial from the fast process of photoinduced phase transition of the mesogenic block from liquid crystal to disordered isotropic phase. Several influence factors like the molecular weight of polymer, film thickness, light intensity, and relative humidity were studied in the light-directed processes. In addition, the photoregulated nanostructures demonstrate their capability of being photopatterned and further used as nanotemplates for fabrication of nanoparticles. The light-directed method shows noncontact, precise, and reversible features, enabling it to find further applications in fast control of nanostructures for nanofabrication and nanoengineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianjie Wang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Engineering and Engineering and Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Peking University , Beijing 100871, P. R. China
| | - Xiao Li
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Engineering and Engineering and Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Peking University , Beijing 100871, P. R. China
| | - Zhijiao Dong
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Engineering and Engineering and Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Peking University , Beijing 100871, P. R. China
| | - Shuai Huang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Engineering and Engineering and Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Peking University , Beijing 100871, P. R. China
| | - Haifeng Yu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Engineering and Engineering and Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Peking University , Beijing 100871, P. R. China
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33
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Beppu K, Nagashima Y, Hara M, Nagano S, Seki T. Photoalignment of Vertically Oriented Microphase Separated Lamellae in LC-LC Diblock Copolymer Thin Film. Macromol Rapid Commun 2017; 38. [DOI: 10.1002/marc.201600659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2016] [Revised: 11/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Koichiro Beppu
- Department of Molecular Design and Engineering; Graduate School of Engineering; Nagoya University; Furo-cho, Chikusa Nagoya 464-8603 Japan
| | - Yuki Nagashima
- Department of Molecular Design and Engineering; Graduate School of Engineering; Nagoya University; Furo-cho, Chikusa Nagoya 464-8603 Japan
| | - Mituo Hara
- Department of Molecular Design and Engineering; Graduate School of Engineering; Nagoya University; Furo-cho, Chikusa Nagoya 464-8603 Japan
| | - Shusaku Nagano
- Nagoya University Venture Business Laboratory; Furo-cho, Chikusa Nagoya 464-8603 Japan
| | - Takahiro Seki
- Department of Molecular Design and Engineering; Graduate School of Engineering; Nagoya University; Furo-cho, Chikusa Nagoya 464-8603 Japan
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34
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Kawatsuki N, Fujii R, Fujioka Y, Minami S, Kondo M. Birefringent Pattern Formation in Photoinactive Liquid Crystalline Polymer Films Based on a Photoalignment Technique with Top-Coating of Cinnamic Acid Derivatives via H-Bonds. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2017; 33:2427-2432. [PMID: 28195485 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.7b00079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The application of a top-coating of 4-methoxy cinnamic acid (MCA) onto a photoinactive liquid crystalline polymeric film containing benzoic acid (BA) side groups (P6BAM) is shown to enable thermally stimulated, photoinduced reorientation of the polymer structure. Annealing the MCA-coated P6BAM films leads to H-bond formation between BA and MCA, which also effectively smooths the film surface. Exposure to linearly polarized (LP) UV light initiates axis-selective photoreaction of the MCA groups; subsequent thermal treatment in the LC temperature range of P6BAM amplifies molecular reorientation of the BA side groups, while simultaneously eliminating the MCA molecules. Selective inkjet coating of MCA provides a facile route for the fabrication of patterned, oriented, and rewritable P6BAM films with multiple controlled alignment directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nobuhiro Kawatsuki
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Hyogo , Shosha, Himeji 671-2280, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Fujii
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Hyogo , Shosha, Himeji 671-2280, Japan
| | - Yu Fujioka
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Hyogo , Shosha, Himeji 671-2280, Japan
| | - Satoshi Minami
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Hyogo , Shosha, Himeji 671-2280, Japan
| | - Mizuho Kondo
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Hyogo , Shosha, Himeji 671-2280, Japan
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35
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Xie HL, Li X, Ren J, Bishop C, Arges CG, Nealey PF. Controlling domain orientation of liquid crystalline block copolymer in thin films through tuning mesogenic chemical structures. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/polb.24302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- He-Lou Xie
- Institute for Molecular Engineering; The University of Chicago; Chicago Illinois 60637
| | - Xiao Li
- Institute for Molecular Engineering; The University of Chicago; Chicago Illinois 60637
| | - Jiaxing Ren
- Institute for Molecular Engineering; The University of Chicago; Chicago Illinois 60637
| | - Camille Bishop
- Institute for Molecular Engineering; The University of Chicago; Chicago Illinois 60637
| | - Christopher G. Arges
- Cain Department of Chemical Engineering; Louisiana State University; Baton Rouge Louisiana 70803 USA
| | - Paul F. Nealey
- Institute for Molecular Engineering; The University of Chicago; Chicago Illinois 60637
- Materials Science Division; Argonne National Laboratory; Argonne Illinois 60439
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36
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Bisoyi HK, Li Q. Light-Driven Liquid Crystalline Materials: From Photo-Induced Phase Transitions and Property Modulations to Applications. Chem Rev 2016; 116:15089-15166. [PMID: 27936632 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.6b00415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 407] [Impact Index Per Article: 50.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Light-driven phenomena both in living systems and nonliving materials have enabled truly fascinating and incredible dynamic architectures with terrific forms and functions. Recently, liquid crystalline materials endowed with photoresponsive capability have emerged as enticing systems. In this Review, we focus on the developments of light-driven liquid crystalline materials containing photochromic components over the past decade. Design and synthesis of photochromic liquid crystals (LCs), photoinduced phase transitions in LC, and photoalignment and photoorientation of LCs have been covered. Photomodulation of pitch, polarization, lattice constant and handedness inversion of chiral LCs is discussed. Light-driven phenomena and properties of liquid crystalline polymers, elastomers, and networks have also been analyzed. The applications of photoinduced phase transitions, photoalignment, photomodulation of chiral LCs, and photomobile polymers have been highlighted wherever appropriate. The combination of photochromism, liquid crystallinity, and fabrication techniques has enabled some fascinating functional materials which can be driven by ultraviolet, visible, and infrared light irradiation. Nanoscale particles have been incorporated to widen and diversify the scope of the light-driven liquid crystalline materials. The developed materials possess huge potential for applications in optics, photonics, adaptive materials, nanotechnology, etc. The challenges and opportunities in this area are discussed at the end of the Review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hari Krishna Bisoyi
- Liquid Crystal Institute and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Kent State University , Kent, Ohio 44242, United States
| | - Quan Li
- Liquid Crystal Institute and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Kent State University , Kent, Ohio 44242, United States
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37
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Mukai K, Hara M, Nagano S, Seki T. High-Density Liquid-Crystalline Polymer Brushes Formed by Surface Segregation and Self-Assembly. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201607786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Koji Mukai
- Department of Molecular Design and Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering; Nagoya University; Furo-cho, Chikusa Nagoya 464-8603 Japan
| | - Mitsuo Hara
- Department of Molecular Design and Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering; Nagoya University; Furo-cho, Chikusa Nagoya 464-8603 Japan
| | - Shusaku Nagano
- Nagoya University Venture Business Laboratory; Furo-cho, Chikusa Nagoya 464-8603 Japan
| | - Takahiro Seki
- Department of Molecular Design and Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering; Nagoya University; Furo-cho, Chikusa Nagoya 464-8603 Japan
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38
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Mukai K, Hara M, Nagano S, Seki T. High-Density Liquid-Crystalline Polymer Brushes Formed by Surface Segregation and Self-Assembly. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2016; 55:14028-14032. [DOI: 10.1002/anie.201607786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2016] [Revised: 09/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Koji Mukai
- Department of Molecular Design and Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering; Nagoya University; Furo-cho, Chikusa Nagoya 464-8603 Japan
| | - Mitsuo Hara
- Department of Molecular Design and Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering; Nagoya University; Furo-cho, Chikusa Nagoya 464-8603 Japan
| | - Shusaku Nagano
- Nagoya University Venture Business Laboratory; Furo-cho, Chikusa Nagoya 464-8603 Japan
| | - Takahiro Seki
- Department of Molecular Design and Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering; Nagoya University; Furo-cho, Chikusa Nagoya 464-8603 Japan
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39
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Kollarigowda RH, De Santo I, Rianna C, Fedele C, Manikas AC, Cavalli S, Netti PA. Shedding light on azopolymer brush dynamics by fluorescence correlation spectroscopy. SOFT MATTER 2016; 12:7102-7111. [PMID: 27491890 DOI: 10.1039/c6sm01482h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the response to illumination at a molecular level as well as characterising polymer brush dynamics are key features that guide the engineering of new light-stimuli responsive materials. Here, we report on the use of a confocal microscopy technique that was exploited to discern how a single molecular event such as the photoinduced isomerisation of azobenzene can affect an entire polymeric material at a macroscopic level leading to photodriven mass-migration. For this reason, a set of polymer brushes, containing azobenzene (Disperse Red 1, DR) on the side chains of poly(methacrylic acid), was synthesised and the influence of DR on the polymer brush dynamics was investigated for the first time by Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy (FCS). Briefly, two dynamics were observed, a short one coming from the isomerisation of DR and a long one related to the brush main chain. Interestingly, photoinduced polymer aggregation in the confocal volume was observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- R H Kollarigowda
- Center for Advanced Biomaterials for Healthcare, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Largo Barsanti e Matteucci 53, 80125, Naples, Italy.
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40
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Miyake K, Ikoma H, Okada M, Matsui S, Kondo M, Kawatsuki N. Orientation Direction Control in Liquid Crystalline Photoalignable Polymeric Films by Adjusting the Free-Surface Condition. ACS Macro Lett 2016; 5:761-765. [PMID: 35614664 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.6b00252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Adjusting the free-surface condition facilely controls the in-plane and out-of-plane orientations in liquid crystalline polymer (LCP) films. Top coating with aromatic molecules onto LC polymethacrylate films with N-benzylideneaniline (NBA) or 4-methoxybiphenyl (MB) side groups (PNBAM or PMBM) and subsequent annealing generate a random planar orientation while simultaneously removing the coated aromatic molecules, whereas annealing noncoated films induces a homeotropic orientation of the mesogenic side groups. Additionally, irradiating a top-coated PNBAM film with linearly polarized (LP) 365 nm light induces an in-plane molecular reorientation of the NBA side groups without changing the orientation in the homeotropically oriented region. Changes in the surface topology of the LCP films due to the reorientation processes are investigated in detail. Inkjet coating with aromatic molecules and LP 365 nm light exposure precisely controls the in-plane and out-of-plane alignment pattern in a PNBAM film.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazutoshi Miyake
- Department
of Applied Chemistry,
Graduate School of Engineering, University of Hyogo, 2167 Shosha, Himeji, Hyogo 671-2280, Japan
| | - Hiromi Ikoma
- Department
of Applied Chemistry,
Graduate School of Engineering, University of Hyogo, 2167 Shosha, Himeji, Hyogo 671-2280, Japan
| | - Makoto Okada
- Laboratory of Advanced
Science
and Technology for Industry, University of Hyogo, 3-1-2 Koto,
Kamigori, Ako, Hyogo 678-1205 Japan
| | - Shinji Matsui
- Laboratory of Advanced
Science
and Technology for Industry, University of Hyogo, 3-1-2 Koto,
Kamigori, Ako, Hyogo 678-1205 Japan
| | - Mizuho Kondo
- Department
of Applied Chemistry,
Graduate School of Engineering, University of Hyogo, 2167 Shosha, Himeji, Hyogo 671-2280, Japan
| | - Nobuhiro Kawatsuki
- Department
of Applied Chemistry,
Graduate School of Engineering, University of Hyogo, 2167 Shosha, Himeji, Hyogo 671-2280, Japan
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41
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Tanaka D, Mizuno T, Hara M, Nagano S, Saito I, Yamamoto K, Seki T. Evaluations of Mesogen Orientation in Thin Films of Polyacrylate with Cyanobiphenyl Side Chain. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2016; 32:3737-3745. [PMID: 27031094 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.6b00538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The orientation behavior of mesogens in a polyacrylate with cyanobiphenyl (CB) side chain in thin films was investigated in detail by UV-vis absorption spectroscopy and grazing incidence small-angle X-ray scattering (GI-SAXS) measurements using both high-energy X-rays of Cu Kα line (λ = 0.154 nm) and low-energy synchrotron X-rays (λ = 0.539 nm). By changing the film thickness ranging 7-200 nm, it is concluded that the planar orientation is predominant for thin films with thickness below 10-15 nm. This planar mesogen orientation near the substrate surface coexists with the homeotropically aligned CB mesogens in films thicker than 30 nm. For the thinnest 7 nm film, the planar orientation is unexpectedly lost, which is in consort with a disordering of smectic layer structure. Peculiar orienting characteristics of CB mesogen are suggested, which probably stem from the tendency to form an antiparallel arrangement of mesogens due to the strong dipole moment of the terminal cyano group.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Itsuki Saito
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya Institute of Technology , Gokiso, Showa, Nagoya 466-8555, Japan
| | - Katsuhiro Yamamoto
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya Institute of Technology , Gokiso, Showa, Nagoya 466-8555, Japan
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42
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Nagano S. Inducing Planar Orientation in Side-Chain Liquid-Crystalline Polymer Systems via Interfacial Control. CHEM REC 2016; 16:378-92. [PMID: 26775770 PMCID: PMC4770442 DOI: 10.1002/tcr.201500232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
For efficient photoresponses of liquid-crystal (LC) azobenzene (Az) polymer systems, planar LC orientation of the Az mesogenic group is required because the light irradiation process usually occurs with normal incidence to the film surface. However, LC molecules with a rodlike shape tend to orient perpendicularly to the film surface according to the excluded volume effect theory. This review introduces new approaches for inducing planar orientation in side-chain LC Az polymer films via interface and surface molecular designs. The planar orientation offers efficient in-plane photoalignment and photoswitching to hierarchical LC architectures from molecular LC mesogens and LC phases to mesoscopic microphase-separated structures. These approaches are expected to provide new concepts and possibilities in new LC polymer devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shusaku Nagano
- Nagoya University Venture Business Laboratory, Furo-cho Chikusa, Nagoya, Japan
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43
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Nakai T, Tanaka D, Hara M, Nagano S, Seki T. Free Surface Command Layer for Photoswitchable Out-of-Plane Alignment Control in Liquid Crystalline Polymer Films. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2016; 32:909-914. [PMID: 26734930 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.5b04325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
To date, reversible alignment controls of liquid crystalline materials have widely been achieved by photoreactive layers on solid substrates. In contrast, this work demonstrates the reversible out-of-plane photocontrols of liquid crystalline polymer films by using a photoresponsive skin layer existing at the free surface. A polymethacrylate containing a cyanobiphenyl side-chain mesogen adopts the planar orientation. Upon blending a small amount of azobenzene-containing side-chain polymer followed by successive annealing, segregation of the azobenzene polymer at the free surface occurs and induces a planar to homeotropic orientation transition of cyanobiphenyl mesogens underneath. By irradiation with UV light, the mesogen orientation turns into the planar orientation. The orientation reverts to the homeotropic state upon visible light irradiation or thermally, and such cyclic processes can be repeated many times. On the basis of this principle, erasable optical patterning is performed by irradiating UV light through a photomask.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Nakai
- Department of Molecular Design and Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering and ‡Nagoya University Venture Business Laboratory, Nagoya University , Furo-cho, Chikusa, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
| | - Daisuke Tanaka
- Department of Molecular Design and Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering and ‡Nagoya University Venture Business Laboratory, Nagoya University , Furo-cho, Chikusa, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
| | - Mitsuo Hara
- Department of Molecular Design and Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering and ‡Nagoya University Venture Business Laboratory, Nagoya University , Furo-cho, Chikusa, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
| | - Shusaku Nagano
- Department of Molecular Design and Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering and ‡Nagoya University Venture Business Laboratory, Nagoya University , Furo-cho, Chikusa, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
| | - Takahiro Seki
- Department of Molecular Design and Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering and ‡Nagoya University Venture Business Laboratory, Nagoya University , Furo-cho, Chikusa, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
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44
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Pan S, Mu B, Wu B, Shi Z, Chen D. Side-Chain Liquid Crystalline Polymers: Controlled Synthesis and Hierarchical Structure Characterization. LIQUID CRYSTALLINE POLYMERS 2016:131-172. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-22894-5_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
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45
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Tanaka D, Nagashima Y, Hara M, Nagano S, Seki T. Alternation of Side-Chain Mesogen Orientation Caused by the Backbone Structure in Liquid-Crystalline Polymer Thin Films. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2015; 31:11379-11383. [PMID: 26406864 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.5b02442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
In side-chain-type liquid-crystalline (LC) polymers, the main chain rigidity significantly affects the LC structure and properties. We show herein a relevant new effect regarding the orientation of side-chain mesogenic groups of LC polymers in a thin-film state. A subtle change in the main chain structure, i.e., polyacrylate and polymethacrylate, leads to a clear alternation of mesogens in the homeotropic and planar modes, respectively. This orientational discrimination is triggered from the free surface region (film-air interface) as revealed by surface micropatterning via inkjet printing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Tanaka
- Department of Molecular Design and Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering and ‡Nagoya University Venture Business Laboratory, Nagoya University , Furo-cho, Chikusa, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
| | - Yuki Nagashima
- Department of Molecular Design and Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering and ‡Nagoya University Venture Business Laboratory, Nagoya University , Furo-cho, Chikusa, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
| | - Mitsuo Hara
- Department of Molecular Design and Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering and ‡Nagoya University Venture Business Laboratory, Nagoya University , Furo-cho, Chikusa, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
| | - Shusaku Nagano
- Department of Molecular Design and Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering and ‡Nagoya University Venture Business Laboratory, Nagoya University , Furo-cho, Chikusa, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
| | - Takahiro Seki
- Department of Molecular Design and Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering and ‡Nagoya University Venture Business Laboratory, Nagoya University , Furo-cho, Chikusa, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
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46
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Takeshima T, Liao WY, Nagashima Y, Beppu K, Hara M, Nagano S, Seki T. Photoresponsive Surface Wrinkle Morphologies in Liquid Crystalline Polymer Films. Macromolecules 2015. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.5b01577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Takahiro Takeshima
- Department of Molecular
Design and Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, and ‡Venture Business
Laboratory, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
| | - Wan-yu Liao
- Department of Molecular
Design and Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, and ‡Venture Business
Laboratory, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
| | - Yuki Nagashima
- Department of Molecular
Design and Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, and ‡Venture Business
Laboratory, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
| | - Koichiro Beppu
- Department of Molecular
Design and Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, and ‡Venture Business
Laboratory, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
| | - Mitsuo Hara
- Department of Molecular
Design and Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, and ‡Venture Business
Laboratory, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
| | - Shusaku Nagano
- Department of Molecular
Design and Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, and ‡Venture Business
Laboratory, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
| | - Takahiro Seki
- Department of Molecular
Design and Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, and ‡Venture Business
Laboratory, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
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47
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Sano M, Shan F, Hara M, Nagano S, Shinohara Y, Amemiya Y, Seki T. Dynamic photoinduced realignment processes in photoresponsive block copolymer films: effects of the chain length and block copolymer architecture. SOFT MATTER 2015; 11:5918-5925. [PMID: 26119976 DOI: 10.1039/c5sm01140j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
A series of block copolymers composed of an amorphous poly(butyl methacrylate) (PBMA) block connected with an azobenzene (Az)-containing liquid crystalline (PAz) block were synthesized by changing the chain length and polymer architecture. With these block copolymer films, the dynamic realignment process of microphase separated (MPS) cylinder arrays of PBMA in the PAz matrix induced by irradiation with linearly polarized light was studied by UV-visible absorption spectroscopy, and time-resolved grazing incidence small angle X-ray scattering (GI-SAXS) measurements using a synchrotron beam. Unexpectedly, the change in the chain length hardly affected the realignment rate. In contrast, the architecture of the AB-type diblock or the ABA-type triblock essentially altered the realignment feature. The strongly cooperative motion with an induction period before realignment was characteristic only for the diblock copolymer series, and the LPL-induced alignment change immediately started for triblock copolymers and the PAz homopolymer. Additionally, a marked acceleration in the photoinduced dynamic motions was unveiled in comparison with a thermal randomization process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masami Sano
- Department of Molecular Design and Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan.
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48
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Fu S, Zhao Y. Orientation of Azobenzene Mesogens in Side-Chain Liquid Crystalline Polymers: Interplay between Effects of Mechanical Stretching, Photoisomerization and Thermal Annealing. Macromolecules 2015. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.5b01311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Shangyi Fu
- Département de Chimie, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec Canada J1K 2R1
| | - Yue Zhao
- Département de Chimie, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec Canada J1K 2R1
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49
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Fukuhara K, Nagano S, Hara M, Seki T. Free-surface molecular command systems for photoalignment of liquid crystalline materials. Nat Commun 2015; 5:3320. [PMID: 24534881 PMCID: PMC4355354 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms4320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2013] [Accepted: 01/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The orientation of liquid crystal molecules is very sensitive towards contacting surfaces, and this phenomenon is critical during the fabrication of liquid crystal display panels, as well as optical and memory devices. To date, research has focused on designing and modifying solid surfaces. Here we report an approach to control the orientation of liquid crystals from the free (air) surface side: a skin layer at the free surface was prepared using a non-photoresponsive liquid crystalline polymer film by surface segregation or inkjet printing an azobenzene-containing liquid crystalline block copolymer. Both planar-planar and homoeotropic-planar mode patterns were readily generated. This strategy is applicable to various substrate systems, including inorganic substrates and flexible polymer films. These versatile processes require no modification of the substrate surface and are therefore expected to provide new opportunities for the fabrication of optical and mechanical devices based on liquid crystal alignment. Molecular alignment in liquid crystals is conventionally achieved by surface mediation from the substrate side. Fukuhara et al. develop a method to photocontrol the orientation of liquid crystalline polymer films from the air side, which is guided by a photoresponsive skin layer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kei Fukuhara
- Department of Molecular Design and Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
| | - Shusaku Nagano
- Nagoya University Venture Business Laboratory, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
| | - Mitsuo Hara
- Department of Molecular Design and Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
| | - Takahiro Seki
- Department of Molecular Design and Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
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50
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Sano M, Nakamura S, Hara M, Nagano S, Shinohara Y, Amemiya Y, Seki T. Pathways toward Photoinduced Alignment Switching in Liquid Crystalline Block Copolymer Films. Macromolecules 2014. [DOI: 10.1021/ma501803g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Yuya Shinohara
- Graduate
School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5, Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa 227-8561, Japan
| | - Yoshiyuki Amemiya
- Graduate
School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5, Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa 227-8561, Japan
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