Solvent-induced reversible color changes in block copolymer films and new locking method of structural colors

Abstract

The well-defined polystyrene-block-poly(4-vinylpyridine) [PS-block-P4VP (SV1); lamellar morphology] and polyisoprene-block-poly(α-methyl styrene) [PI-block-PMS (IMS1); PI spherical morphology] diblock copolymers were prepared by sequential anionic polymerization techniques. The segregated chains in the P4VP lamellar layers of the SV1 film (PS lamellae: 41 nm; P4VP lamellae: 51 nm) were crosslinked with 1,4-dibromobutane. This crosslinked film was insoluble in organic solvents such as benzene and chloroform (CHCl3) and exhibited various structural colors under the swollen state. The IMS1 film (body-centered cubic lattice, diameter of PI spheres: 53 nm) was soaked in the mixture of CHCl3/hexane (1:10, v/v). This solvent system resulted in the swelling of PI spherical domains. The transmitted and reflected light color through the swollen film changed to a deep blue. Such color changes were reversible upon swelling in solvent and evaporation of the solvent. Subsequently, photofunctional diethyldithiocarbamate (DC) groups were introduced into the PS block of the parent block copolymer IMS1 by means of polymer reactions. The locking of the cubic lattice was performed with living radical graft copolymerization from DC groups of swollen as-cast film in methyl methacrylate (MMA) under UV irradiation. The locking of structural colors such as blue and green was also achieved, varying the content of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) grafted chains. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.