Optical nanoimaging for block copolymer self-assembly.

One approach toward optical nanoimaging involves sequential molecular localization of photoswitchable fluorophores to achieve high resolution beyond optical limit of diffraction. Block copolymer micelles assembled from polystryrene-block-poly(ethylene oxide) block copolymers (PSt-b-PEO) are visualized in optical nanoimaging by staining the polystyrene blocks with spiropyrans (SPs). SPs localized in hydrophobic phase of block copolymer micelles exhibit reversible fluorescence on-off switching at alternating irradiation of UV and visible light. Phase-selective distribution of SPs in block copolymer micelles enables optical nanoimaging of microphase structures of block copolymer self-assembly at 50-nm resolution. To date, this is the sturdiest realization of optical nanoimaging with subdiffraction resolution for solution self-assembly of block copolymers.