Polymer mortar assisted self-assembly of nanocrystalline polydiacetylene bricks showing reversible thermochromism

The phenomena of reversible thermochromism has been shown by polymer mortar assisted self-assembly of nanocrystalline polydiacetylene bricks. Reversible thermochromism was successfully achieved in a self-assembled poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP)/poly(10,12-pentacosadiynoic acid) (PDA) blend via hydrogen bonding in aqueous suspensions and solid films. The physical constraint exerted on every PDA bilayers by the PVP mortar, substantially assisted reversible conformational transitions in the PDA main chain, which is responsible for the reversible thermochromism. A method for preparing noncovalently connected micelles (NCCM), was used to fabricate PVP/DA nanosuspension in aqueous solution. The resultant PVP/PDA "bricks and mortar" structure was further stabilized at high temperatures, after topochemical polymerization.