Recent advances and potential applications of the photo-induced macroscopic response of self-assembled azopolymer in aqueous media

• Published in: Polymer international Vol. 63; no. 9; pp. 1539 - 1544
• Main Authors: Bai, Yu, Hu, Jinhua, Shen, Wenming, Hu, Xiao
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 01.09.2014; Wiley; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Assembly; azobenzene; Cyclodextrins; Exact sciences and technology; Hydrogels; Inclusion complexes; macroscopic; Media; Organic polymers; Physicochemistry of polymers; Properties and characterization; Self assembly; Sol gel process; Solution and gel properties; supramolecular; vesicle; Vesicles; Vesicle; Self assembly; azobenzene; State of the art; supramolecular; End group; Photoisomerization; Acrylamide derivative copolymer; Cis trans isomerization; Sol gel transition; Phase transitions; Lateral group; Ethylene oxide polymer; Azo compound; self-assembly; Cyclodextrin; Cyclic ether polymer; Light sensitive polymer; Molecular assembly; Aqueous medium; Oside polymer; Hydrogel; Inclusion compound; macroscopic
• ISSN: 0959-8103; 1097-0126
• DOI: 10.1002/pi.4726

This mini‐review highlights photo‐induced macroscopic response of azopolymers in aqueous media. Supramolecular inclusion complex and polymer vesicles are two major orientations as self‐assemblies and hydrogels. This mini‐review highlights issues related to the photo‐triggered macroscopic response of azopolymer in supramolecular hydrogel and polymer vesicles. Cyclodextrin (CD) can form an inclusion complex with trans‐azobenzene while cis‐azobenzene is expelled out of the CD's cavity. This photo‐reversible supramolecular host − guest interaction is used to trigger sol − gel transitions and to induce macroscopic assembly. When substituted azobenzene is located at chain ends of linear polyethylene glycol, monodisperse vesicles are formed exhibiting a photo‐induced pulsating behavior. The macroscopic phase transition and assembly or pulsating behavior of azopolymers can be expected to have potential applications as smart biomedical materials. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry