10.1063/5.0036376.1

Default Digital Object Group

Abstract

We report on the multiple response of microgels triggered by a single optical stimulus. Under irradiation, the volume of the microgels is reversibly switched by more than 20 times. The irradiation initiates two different processes: photo-isomerization of the photo-sensitive surfactant, which forms a complex with the anionic microgel, rendering it photo-responsive; and local heating due to a thermo-plasmonic effect within the structured gold layer on which the microgel is deposited. The photo-responsivity is related to the reversible accommodation/release of the photo-sensitive surfactant depending on its photo-isomerization state, while the thermo-sensitivity is intrinsically built in. We show that under exposure to green light, the thermo-plasmonic effect generates a local hot spot in the gold layer, resulting in the shrinkage of the microgel. This process competes with the simultaneous photo-induced swelling. Depending on the position of the laser spot, the spatiotemporal control of reversible particle shrinking/swelling with a predefined extent on a per-second base can be implemented.

Authors 7

1. Marek Bekir

   University of Potsdam

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, 14476 Potsdam, Germany

2. Joachim Jelken

   University of Potsdam

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, 14476 Potsdam, Germany

3. Se‐Hyeong Jung Aachen DWI-Leibniz-Institute for Interactive Materials e.V Functional and Interactive Polymers Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry

   DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   DWI-Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials e.V., 52074 Aachen, Germany

   Functional and Interactive Polymers, Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany

4. Andrij Pich Aachen DWI-Leibniz-Institute for Interactive Materials e.V Functional and Interactive Polymers Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry

   Maastricht University · DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Aachen Maastricht Institute for Biobased Materials (AMIBM), Maastricht University, 6167 RD Geleen, The Netherlands

   DWI-Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials e.V., 52074 Aachen, Germany

   Functional and Interactive Polymers, Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany

5. Claudia Pacholski

   University of Potsdam

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Chemistry, University of Potsdam, 14476 Potsdam, Germany

6. Alexey Kopyshev

   University of Potsdam

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, 14476 Potsdam, Germany

7. Svetlana A. Santer corresponding

   University of Potsdam

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, 14476 Potsdam, Germany