Molecules that bridge the gap between block copolymers and liquid crystals have become a recent field of interest, as these molecules can exhibit both polymeric and small molecule self-assembly behavior. Here, we present a class of well-defined functionalized oligodimethylsiloxanes that form multi-domain nanomaterials with different morphologies based on the balance between self-assembly forces. Of particular interest is the assembly of supramolecular materials that consist of crystalline monolayers exfoliated by regularly spaced liquid domains. These materials have highly ordered molecular organization as well as high molecular mobility and thus exhibit fascinating properties. Using photoisomerizable azobenzene motifs, we apply this exfoliated monolayer crystal morphology towards the synthesis of materials with dramatic light-driven phase transformations for photolithography or adhesive applications.

Self-Assembly of exfoliated monolayer crystals as photoswitchable soft matter

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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