SPP 2171 - Subproject: Dynamic wetting of self-assembled monolayers and polymer brushes functionalized with photoresponsive arylazopyrazoles

Basic data for this project

Description

Molecular photoswitches are a unique type of molecules that can be switched reversibly between two isomers (shapes) using irradiation with light. Since the two isomers of the molecular photoswitch have different properties, incorporation of photoswitches into materials and coatings can result in macroscopic effects such as photoswitchable stability, permeability, or wettability. In this project we will investigate a new type of molecular photoswitch to prepare surfaces with photoresponsive wettability. Due to optimized molecular design, the photoswitch can be self-assembled in monolayers or embedded in polymer nanofilms with enhanced dynamic wettability.