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Programmable Polymer‐Based Supramolecular Temperature Sensor with a Memory Function
Author(s) -
Sambe Léna,
de La Rosa Victor R.,
Belal Khaled,
Stoffelbach François,
Lyskawa Joel,
Delattre François,
Bria Marc,
Cooke Graeme,
Hoogenboom Richard,
Woisel Patrice
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
angewandte chemie international edition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.831
H-Index - 550
eISSN - 1521-3773
pISSN - 1433-7851
DOI - 10.1002/anie.201402108
Subject(s) - lower critical solution temperature , supramolecular chemistry , polymer , hysteresis , chemistry , supramolecular polymers , phase transition , nanotechnology , chemical physics , polymer chemistry , materials science , crystallography , thermodynamics , copolymer , organic chemistry , condensed matter physics , physics , crystal structure
A new class of polymeric thermometers with a memory function is reported that is based on the supramolecular host–guest interactions of poly( N ‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) with side‐chain naphthalene guest moieties and the tetracationic macrocycle cyclobis(paraquat‐p‐phenylene) (CBPQT 4+ ) as the host. This supramolecular thermometer exhibits a memory function for the thermal history of the solution, which arises from the large hysteresis of the thermoresponsive LCST phase transition (LCST=lower critical solution temperature). This hysteresis is based on the formation of a metastable soluble state that consists of the PNIPAM–CBPQT 4+ host–guest complex. When heated above the transition temperature, the polymer collapses, and the host–guest interactions are disrupted, making the polymer more hydrophobic and less soluble in water. Aside from providing fundamental insights into the kinetic control of supramolecular assemblies, the developed thermometer with a memory function might find use in applications spanning the physical and biological sciences.