Nano-3D-Printed Photochromic Micro-Objects


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Date

2021-07-01

Publication Type

Journal Article

ETH Bibliography

yes

Citations

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Data

Abstract

Molecular photoswitches that can reversibly change color upon irradiation are promising materials for applications in molecular actuation and photoresponsive materials. However, the fabrication of photochromic devices is limited to conventional approaches such as mold casting and spin-coating, which cannot fabricate complex structures. Reported here is the first photoresist for direct laser writing of photochromic 3D micro-objects via two-photon polymerization. The integration of photochromism into thiol–ene photo-clickable resins enables rapid two-photon laser processing of highly complex microstructures and facile postmodification using a series of donor–acceptor Stenhouse adduct (DASA) photoswitches with different excitation wavelengths. The versatility of thiol–ene photo-click reactions allows fine-tuning of the network structure and physical properties as well as the type and concentration of DASA. When exposed to visible light, these microstructures exhibit excellent photoresponsiveness and undergo reversible color-changing via photoisomerization. It is demonstrated that the fluorescence variations of DASAs can be used as a reporter of photoswitching and thermal recovery, allowing the reading of DASA-containing sub-micrometric structures in 3D. This work delivers a new approach for custom microfabrication of 3D photochromic objects with molecularly engineered color and responsiveness.

Publication status

published

Editor

Book title

Journal / series

Volume

17 (26)

Pages / Article No.

2101337

Publisher

Wiley-VCH

Event

Edition / version

Methods

Software

Geographic location

Date collected

Date created

Subject

Organisational unit

03627 - Nelson, Bradley J. (emeritus) / Nelson, Bradley J. (emeritus) check_circle
03565 - Müller, Ralph / Müller, Ralph check_circle

Notes

Funding

190345 - Mini-Bone-on-a-Chip: Microfluidic Engineering of 3D Osteocyte Networks in Void-forming Hydrogels (SNF)
SEED-21 18-2 - Biomimetic 3D Laser Microprinting of Functional Bone Models (ETHZ)

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