Photoresponsive Self-Assembled Systems

In recent years, self-assembly has been employed to create complex artificial molecular machines and smart materials. Various studies have been focused on the fabrication of smart functional materials where physical properties and functions emerging from large molecular self-assemblies can be controlled at will. Photoresponsive self-assembled systems are particular attractive.The aim of this thesis is to develop smart materials based on photoresponsive self-assembled systems, with a special focus on Langmuir film, liquid crystals (LC), and helicates. Chapter 1 gives a literature review on self-assembly processes and self-assembled systems which can be controlled by external stimuli. In Chapter 2, a photoresponsive Langmuir film based on amphiphilic overcrowded alkenes is presented. Chapter 3-5 focuses on the application of molecular motors as chiral dopants in nematic LCs. Chapter 6 describes an unidirectional rotary motor connecting oligobipyridyl ligands, which can dynamically change their chirality upon irradiation, assemble into metal helicates that are responsive to light. Chapter 7 focused on the development of a new photoresponsive LC mesogen containing intrinsic 4,4'-disubstituted biphenyl. Overall, the experimental works presented in this thesis contributes to the development of various self-assembled systems and how these systems are controlled in a dynamic fashion. and I hope the work presented in this thesis stimulates many future discoveries in the field of responsive supramolecular materials