New Perspectives for the Design of Molecular Actuators: Thermally Induced Collapse of Single Macromolecules from Cylindrical Brushes to Spheres

摘要

Linear flexible chains with densely grafted long side chains exhibit the shape of cylindrical brushes provided that the main chain is much longer than the side chains. Such structures may be prepared by polymerization of macromonomers, by grafting from a linear macro initiator, and by grafting onto a multifunctional linear chain. Each of the methods has its particular advantages and disadvantages.