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Nanoscopic Visualization of Soft Matter Using Fluorescent Diarylethene Photoswitches
Author(s) -
Nevskyi Oleksii,
Sysoiev Dmytro,
Oppermann Alex,
Huhn Thomas,
Wöll Dominik
Publication year - 2016
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.201606791
Subject(s) - diarylethene , photoswitch , nanoscopic scale , fluorescence , materials science , nanotechnology , microscopy , soft matter , diffraction , photochromism , optics , chemistry , photochemistry , physics , colloid
The in situ imaging of soft matter is of paramount importance for a detailed understanding of functionality on the nanoscopic scale. Although super‐resolution fluorescence microscopy methods with their unprecedented imaging capabilities have revolutionized research in the life sciences, this potential has been far less exploited in materials science. One of the main obstacles for a more universal application of super‐resolved fluorescence microscopy methods is the limitation of readily available suitable dyes to overcome the diffraction limit. Here, we report a novel diarylethene‐based photoswitch with a highly fluorescent closed and a nonfluorescent open form. Its photophysical properties, switching behavior, and high photostability make the dye an ideal candidate for photoactivation localization microscopy (PALM). It is capable of resolving apolar structures with an accuracy far beyond the diffraction limit of optical light in cylindrical micelles formed by amphiphilic block copolymers.