Switching transition of molecular nanotubes forming an inclusion complex with block copolymers in solutions

Abstract

Switching behavior of molecular nanotubes forming an inclusion complex with block copolymers in solutions is theoretically investigated. As temperature changes, a nanotube including a miscible block copolymer gradually moves from one polymer chain to the other, while a switching transition sharply occurs with a hysteresis loop in an immiscible block copolymer. In a recurrent block copolymer comprising linear polymers of four different types, a nanotube travels on the copolymer rail stepwise with undulating temperature: a molecular motor operated by temperature undulation.