Light responsive thin films of micelles of PS- b -PVP complexed with diazophenol chromophore

We have incorporated push–pull azobenzene units into diblock-copolymer micelles by supramolecular assembly. Specifically, we encapsulated a phenol-functionalized chromophore, DO13, within PS- b -P4VP micelles in toluene by means of H-bond interactions developed between DO13 molecules and pyridine groups of P4VP block. The solutions were spin-coated onto glass substrates resulting in multi- or mono-layered thin films of micelles with P4VP(DO13) core and PS corona. We show that the use of DO13 as a building block of micellar aggregates allowed us to manipulate the developed nanostructures. Spherical to cylindrical micellar transition was found when we increased the degree of chromophore complexation. Also, it was found that the polymer concentration in the solution plays an important role in determining the micellar nanostructures. The chain extension and change in composition of the P4VP core in the presence of the chromophore may be responsible for the structural changes obs...

Luciana M Saiz, Patricia A Oyanguren, María José Galante and Ileana A Zucchi

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