Berlin 2024 – scientific programme
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CPP: Fachverband Chemische Physik und Polymerphysik
CPP 15: Poster I
CPP 15.36: Poster
Monday, March 18, 2024, 18:00–20:00, Poster C
Photoswitchable Molecules: Impact on Swelling in Thermoresponsive Polymer Films under UV Irradiation — •David P. Kosbahn1, Julija Reitenbach1, Morgan Le Dû1, Lukas V. Spanier1, René Steinbrecher2,3, André Laschewsky2,3, Robert Cubitt4, Thomas Saerbeck4, Christine M. Papadakis1, and Peter Müller-Buschbaum1,5 — 1TUM School of Natural Sciences, Chair for Functional Materials, 85748 Garching, Germany — 2Institut für Chemie, Universität Potsdam, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany — 3Fraunhofer Institut für Angewandte Polymerforschung, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany — 4Institut Laue-Langevin, 38000 Grenoble, France — 5MLZ, TUM, 85748 Garching, Germany
In this study, we investigated the swelling characteristics of p(AzAm-co-DMAm) and p(AzPyAm-co-DMAm) thin films in both isomer states of the photoswitchable molecules azobenzene (Az) and azopyrazole (AzPy). The influence of UV-irradiation on the swelling behavior in water vapor was explored, aiming to control water uptake, expansion, and morphology on the nanoscale. These materials hold promise for applications such as light sensors, photo-actuators, and drug-delivery systems. Utilizing in situ time-of-flight neutron reflectometry measurements with high temporal resolution at the D17 instrument at ILL, we obtained depth-resolved data about the water distribution during swelling, drying, and irradiation in the dry and swollen states. Our results reveal insights into how photoswitchable molecules affect the microscopic properties of thin polymer films.