| 초록 |
Conformational changes in macromolecules significantly affect their functions and assembly into high-level structures. Despite advances in theoretical and experimental studies, investigations into the intrinsic conformational variations and dynamic motions of single macromolecules remain challenging. Here, liquid-phase transmission electron microscopy enables the real-time tracking of single-chain polymers. Imaging linear polymers, synthetically dendronized with conjugated aromatic groups, in organic solvent confined within graphene liquid cells, directly exhibits chain-resolved conformational dynamics of individual semi-flexible polymers. Our experimental and theoretical analyses reveal that the dynamic conformational transitions of the single-chain polymer originate from the degree of intra-chain interactions. In situ observations also show that such dynamics of the single-chain polymer are significantly affected by environmental factors, including surfaces and interfaces. |
