Block Copolymers with Liquid-Crystalline Azobenzene Segments Exhibiting Reversibly Cylinder Structures upon Photoirradiation

Abstract

Block copolymers that consist of multiple polymers attached by covalent bond form various nanoscale ordered morphologies by self-organization and microphase separation. Especially, block copolymers which contain liquid crystal show cylinder structure. In this study, we synthesized block copolymer comprising poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and liquid-crystalline trifluoro methoxy azobenzene, whose wettability can be controlled upon irradiation with light, and aim to create materials that reversibly form the cylinder structure.