Flexible or Robust Amorphous Photonic Crystals from Network-Forming Block Copolymers for Sensing Solvent Vapors

Large-area and flexible amorphous photonic crystals (APCs) featuring interconnected network microstructures are fabricated using high-molecular-weight polystyrene-<i>block</i>-poly­(methyl methacrylate) (PS–PMMA) block copolymers. Kinetically controlled microphase separation combining with synergistic weak incompatibility gives rise to short-range-order network microstructures, exhibiting noniridescent optical properties. Solubility-dependent solvatochromism with distinct responses to various organic solvent vapors is observed in the network-forming APC film. By taking advantage of photodegradation of the PMMA block, nanoporous network-forming films were prepared for subsequent template synthesis of robust SiO₂- and TiO₂-based APC films through sol–gel reaction. Consequently, refractive index contrast of the APC film was able to be manipulated, resulting in intensely enhanced reflectivity and increased response rate for detecting solvent vapor. With the integration of self-assembly and photolithography approaches, flexible and robust network-forming APC films with well-defined photopatterned textures are carried out. This can provide a novel means for the design of photopatterned organic or inorganic APC films for sensing solvent vapors

Flexible or Robust Amorphous Photonic Crystals from Network-Forming Block Copolymers for Sensing Solvent Vapors

Large-area and flexible amorphous photonic crystals (APCs) featuring interconnected network microstructures are fabricated using high-molecular-weight polystyrene-<i>block</i>-poly­(methyl methacrylate) (PS–PMMA) block copolymers. Kinetically controlled microphase separation combining with synergistic weak incompatibility gives rise to short-range-order network microstructures, exhibiting noniridescent optical properties. Solubility-dependent solvatochromism with distinct responses to various organic solvent vapors is observed in the network-forming APC film. By taking advantage of photodegradation of the PMMA block, nanoporous network-forming films were prepared for subsequent template synthesis of robust SiO₂- and TiO₂-based APC films through sol–gel reaction. Consequently, refractive index contrast of the APC film was able to be manipulated, resulting in intensely enhanced reflectivity and increased response rate for detecting solvent vapor. With the integration of self-assembly and photolithography approaches, flexible and robust network-forming APC films with well-defined photopatterned textures are carried out. This can provide a novel means for the design of photopatterned organic or inorganic APC films for sensing solvent vapors

Dynamic substrate map and isopotential maps of noncontact mapping.

<p>(A) Normalized peak negative voltage (PNV) distribution of the RV in a posterior caudal view. The orange border zone rerepresents areas with voltages around 30% of the peak negative potential. (B) Isopotential map shows the activation sequence (frames 1–4). Color scale has been set so that white indicates the most negative potential and purple indicates the least negative potential. Virtual electrodes (V1-1 to V1-4) are placed along the propagation of activation wavefront from EA site (Frame 1) to BO site (Frame 4). The green arrows indicate the activation wavefron propagating from EA to BO site, then spreading out at BO site. The virtual unipolar electrograms reveal a QS pattern at the origin.</p

Noncontact mapping findings of triggers.

<p>BO = breakout; EA = earliest activation; Eg = electrogram; PNV = peak negative value; Other abbreviations are the same as <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0140167#pone.0140167.t001" target="_blank">Table 1</a>.</p><p>Noncontact mapping findings of triggers.</p

Baseline Clinical Characteristics of 35 Patients.

<p>* Measured by ventriculogram</p><p>^† Data are presented as median (range).</p><p>ARVC = arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy; ICD = implantable cardioverter-defibrillator; LVEF = left ventricular ejection fraction; NS = nonsignificant; PVC = premature ventricular contraction; RVEF = right ventricular ejection fraction; RVOT = right ventricular outflow tract; VT = ventricular tachycardia.</p><p>Baseline Clinical Characteristics of 35 Patients.</p

Radiofrequency ablation and follow-up.

<p>RF = radiofrequency; Other abbreviations are the same as <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0140167#pone.0140167.t001" target="_blank">Table 1</a>.</p><p>Radiofrequency ablation and follow-up.</p