Real-time molecular-level visualization of mass flow during patterned photopolymerization of liquid-crystalline monomers
K. Ueda, Miho Aizawa, Atsushi Shishido, Martin Vácha
Abstract
Abstract Single-particle fluorescence imaging is used to monitor dynamic processes that occur during patterned photopolymerization of liquid-crystalline monomers. A spatial gradient of chemical potential can be created at the border of bright and dark regions by structured illumination in the photopolymerization process, leading to mutual diffusion of polymers and monomers. Analysis of the fluorescence from single quantum dots doped into the monomers at minute concentrations enables visualization of highly directional flow from the illuminated region where the photopolymerization proceeds toward a masked unpolymerized region. This directional mass flow causes flow-induced orientation of the polymers that is subsequently fixed by completion of the polymerization reaction, resulting in a mesoscopic aligned area of the polymer film.