Muroran Inst. Technology：Small Molecules Repeatedly Dissolved and Turbid in Water in Response to Ambient Temperature：MU24-002

Small Molecules Repeatedly Dissolved and Turbid in Water in Response to Ambient Temperature

　There are known compounds that exhibit phase separation when solutes dissolved in solvents exceed a certain temperature (LCST). Poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAm) has been studied as a representative of these compounds, and applications to temperature-responsive smart windows have been reported. However, since the LCST of PNIPAm is constant at 31°C, a compound that can flexibly respond to the LCST depending on ambient temperature has been desired in industry. 　The inventors succeeded in synthesizing a new compound. This compound is characterized by the ability to control the LCST within the range of about 25~55°C by modifying a part of its structure. When applying to smart windows, most of them require a power supply because they switch between transmission and non-transmission by turning the voltage on and off. On the other hand, smart windows using this compound can be used in places without a power supply because they switch between transmission and non-transmission spontaneously according to changes in the outside temperature. Furthermore, by controlling the heat according to the degree of light transmission, it is expected to be effective against heat.

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