Yasuhito Suzuki

Photoswitching of glass transition temperatures of azobenzene-containing polymers induces reversible solid-to-liquid transitions

The development of polymers with switchable glass transition temperatures (Tg) can address scientific challenges such as the healing of cracks in high-Tg polymers and the processing of hard polymers at room temperature without using plasticizing solvents. Here, we demonstrate that light can switch the Tg of azobenzene-containing polymers (azopolymers) and induce reversible solid-to-liquid transitions of the polymers. The azobenzene groups in the polymers exhibit reversible cis-trans photoisomerization abilities. Trans azopolymers are solids with Tg above room temperature, whereas cis azopolymers are liquids with Tg below room temperature. Because of the photoinduced solid-to-liquid transitions of these polymers, light can reduce the surface roughness of azopolymer films by almost 600%, repeatedly heal cracks in azopolymers, and control the adhesion of azopolymers for transfer printing. The photoswitching of Tg provides a new strategy for designing healable polymers with high Tg and allows for control over the mechanical properties of polymers with high spatiotemporal resolution.

Homogeneous Nucleation of Predominantly Cubic Ice Confined in Nanoporous Alumina

The nucleation mechanism of water can be precisely regulated by confinement within nanoporous alumina. We found a transition from heterogeneous nucleation of hexagonal ice (Ih) to homogeneous nucleation of predominantly cubic ice (Ic) with decreasing pore diameter. These results lead to a phase diagram of water under confinement. It contains a (stable) predominant Ic form, a form known to exist only in the upper atmosphere. Possible applications range from cryopreservation to construction materials like cement.

Kinetics of Ice Nucleation Confined in Nanoporous Alumina

The nucleation mechanism of water (heterogeneous/homogeneous) can be regulated by confinement within nanoporous alumina. The kinetics of ice nucleation is studied in confinement by employing dielectric permittivity as a probe. Both heterogeneous and homogeneous nucleation, obtained at low and high undercooling, respectively, are stochastic in nature. The temperature interval of metastability extends over ∼4 and 0.4 °C for heterogeneous and homogeneous nucleation, respectively. Nucleation within a pore is spread to all pores in the template. We have examined a possible coupling of all pores through a heat wave and a sound wave, with the latter being a more realistic scenario. In addition, dielectric spectroscopy indicates that prior to crystallization undercooled water molecules relax with an activation energy of ∼50 kJ/mol, and this process acts as precursor to ice nucleation.