This work presents a novel strategy of performing a reversible microcrystalline-spherulite morphology transition based on photo-triggered immiscible phase aggregation in semi-crystalline block polymer. We propose that by assembling or disintegrating immiscible photo-active aggregates during melt crystallization under illuminations, end-to-end distance R of the photo-inactive semi-crystalline polymer chains can be adjusted to generate high-entropy state, R< R ₀ or low-entropy state, R > R ₀. Thus, the corresponding entropic effect influences chain nucleation and can be used to control crystallization morphologies. Besides, photo-tunable mechanical and electrical properties can be also simultaneously endowed. Promising potential applications of this study for optical patterning, memory materials and solid-state electrochemistry can be anticipated.

这项工作提出了一种基于半结晶嵌段聚合物中光触发不混溶相聚集进行可逆微晶-球晶形态转变的新策略。我们建议通过在光照下熔融结晶过程中组装或分解不混溶的光活性聚集体，可以调节光非活性半结晶聚合物链的端到端距离R以产生高熵状态，R < R ₀或低熵态，R > R ₀. 因此，相应的熵效应影响链成核并可用于控制结晶形态。此外，还可以同时赋予光可调的机械和电学性能。可以预期这项研究在光学图案、存储材料和固态电化学方面的潜在应用前景广阔。