Photoexcitation‐Based Supramolecular Access to Full‐Scale Phase‐Diagram Structures through in situ Phase‐Volume Ratio Phototuning
Bingbing Yue, Xiaoyong Jia, Glib Baryshnikov, Xin Jin, Xicheng Feng, Yunle Lu, Mengkai Luo, Man Zhang, Shen Shen, Hans Ågren, Liangliang Zhu
Abstract
Controlling phase separation and transition plays a core role in establishing and maintaining the function of diverse self-assembled systems. However, it remains challenging to achieve wide-range continuous phase transition for dynamically producing a variety of assembled structures. Here, we developed a far-from-equilibrium system, upon the integration of photoexcitation-induced aggregation molecules and block copolymers, to establish an in situ phase-volume ratio photocontrol strategy. Thus, full-scale phase-diagram structures, from lamellar structure to gyroidal, cylindrical, and finally to a spherical one, can be accessed under different irradiation periods. Moreover, the phase transition was accompanied by considerable aggregation-induced phosphorescence and hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity change for building a functional surface. This strategy allows for a conceptual advance of accessing a wide range of distinct self-assembled structures and functions in real time.