Photoinduced manipulation of the nanoscale molecular structure and organization of soft materials can drive changes in the macroscale properties. Here we demonstrate the first example of a light-induced one- to three-dimensional mesophase transition at room temperature in lyotropic liquid crystals constructed from arylazopyrazole photosurfactants in water. We exploit this characteristic to use light to selectively control the rate of gas (CO₂) diffusion across a prototype lyotropic liquid crystal membrane. Such control of phase organization, dimensionality, and permeability unlocks the potential for stimuli-responsive analogues in technologies for controlled delivery.

中文翻译：

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芳基唑吡唑溶致液晶中光驱动的六方相到立方相的转换

光诱导操纵软材料的纳米级分子结构和组织可以驱动宏观性能的变化。在这里，我们展示了由芳基偶氮吡唑光表面活性剂在水中构建的溶致液晶在室温下光诱导的一维到三维中间相转变的第一个例子。我们利用这一特性，利用光来选择性地控制气体 (CO ₂ ) 在原型溶致液晶膜上的扩散速率。这种对相组织、维度和渗透性的控制释放了受控传递技术中刺激响应类似物的潜力。