Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• • Monolayer subnanometric polymersomes (MSNPSs) achieve vesicular thicknesses of ~12.0 Å and diameters of ~250 nm, enabling ultracompact FRET architectures for high-efficiency energy transfer. • • The pc-FRET system exhibits a wide Stokes shift of ~320 nm, allowing non-invasive photo-controllable color modulation from blue to red with high spectral resolution. • • Photo-triggered trans-to-cis isomerization of azobenzene induces reversible structural transitions in vesicle diameter and thickness, providing dynamic control over FRET efficiency and color output. • • Multichromatic 2D QR codes fabricated via patterning lithography demonstrate multimodal decryption and repeatable performance, offering a robust platform for high-level information encryption.
Abstract
Photochromic Förster resonance energy transfer (pc-FRET)-based subnanometric polymersomes with accurate color control offer a transformative yet challenging tactic for advanced and custom-tailored information encryption. Herein, various amphiphilic alternating pyrene/azobenzene-containing copolymers were polymerized using one-pot Ugi four-component polycondensation. Subsequent self-assembly was performed to produce highly-integrated monolayer subnanometric polymersomes (MSNPSs) and their composites, with diameters of around ~250 nm and vesicular thicknesses of approximately ~12.0 Å. J-aggregated monolayer chain-folding mechanism was accountable for the donor-acceptor-donor stacking manner within the vesicular membrane, beneficial to achieve highly efficient energy transfer. The trans-to-cis photoisomerization of azobenzenes rendered MSNPSs and their composites with photo-triggered structural transitions in diameter and vesicular thickness. Benefitting from considerable spectral overlap between cis-azobenzene and pyrene, MSNPSs and their composites were capable of photo-controllable non-invasive pc-FRET performance with a wide Stokes shift (~320 nm). The accurate color variation from blue to red highly depended upon precise modulation of both irradiation duration and precursor-fixed donor/acceptor ratios. The proof-of-concept individually multichromatic 2D QR code was attained using photochromic MSNPSs and their composites in patterning lithography, displaying a multimodal decryption and favorable repeatability for high-level and personalized information protection. Our work paves a prospective avenue to meticulously craft stimuli-chromatic polymersomes for the potential of advanced information encryption.
1. Introduction
Stimuli-chromic polymersomes have emerged as promising smart nanomaterials for information encryption, yet existing systems suffer from narrow Stokes shifts, low photoconversion yields, and complex preparation routes. These limitations hinder their practical deployment in high-security applications where precise color control and reversible switching are essential.
This work addresses these bottlenecks by engineering monolayer subnanometric polymersomes (MSNPSs) via one-pot Ugi polycondensation and self-assembly. The resulting vesicles integrate pyrene donors and azobenzene acceptors in a J-aggregated monolayer, enabling efficient pc-FRET with a 320 nm Stokes shift. The system achieves accurate blue-to-red color variation through irradiation duration and donor/acceptor ratio modulation, culminating in multichromatic QR codes for multimodal information security.
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PENGCHAO WU, ZICHAO SUN, GUODONG LI, ZEJIANG XU, PENGLIANG SUI, YUNQING CAO, MINGYU DING, YONGFENG ZHOU, SHAOLIANG LIN, HAIBAO JIN (2026). Monolayer subnanometric polymersomes with ultrabroad photochromism performance for multichromatic and multimodal information security. SCIENCE CHINA Materials. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40843-025-3962-y
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum photoconversion efficiency of the azobenzene moieties within the MSNPSs, and how does it correlate with the observed color switching kinetics?
The abstract does not provide explicit photoconversion efficiency percentages. However, the system demonstrates reversible trans-to-cis isomerization that induces structural transitions and color changes, with irradiation duration serving as a precise control parameter. The wide Stokes shift (~320 nm) and spectral overlap between cis-azobenzene and pyrene indicate efficient energy transfer, but quantitative photoconversion yields are not disclosed in the provided text.
How do the MSNPSs maintain structural integrity and FRET performance over multiple photochromic cycles, and what is the measured fatigue resistance?
The abstract mentions 'favorable repeatability' for information encryption, but specific cycling data (e.g., number of cycles, percentage retention of FRET efficiency) are not provided. The J-aggregated monolayer chain-folding mechanism likely contributes to stability, yet quantitative fatigue resistance metrics are absent from the text.
What is the scalability of the one-pot Ugi four-component polycondensation for industrial production of MSNPSs, and what are the typical batch yields?
The abstract does not report synthesis yields or scalability data. The one-pot nature suggests potential ease of scale-up, but no quantitative yield percentages or production volumes are given. Further details would be required to assess industrial feasibility.
How does the donor/acceptor ratio precisely control the color output, and what is the resolution of color variation achievable with this system?
The abstract states that color variation from blue to red depends on both irradiation duration and precursor-fixed donor/acceptor ratios. However, specific ratios and corresponding color coordinates or spectral shifts are not quantified. The system demonstrates multichromatic capability, but the exact resolution (e.g., number of distinguishable colors) is not specified.
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