Reversible Solubility Switching of a Polymer Triggered by Visible-Light Responsive Azobenzene Photochromism with Negligible Thermal Relaxation.

ABSTRACT: This study reports the reversible solubility switching of a polymer triggered by non-phototoxic visible light. A photochromic polymerizable azobenzene monomer with four methoxy groups at the ortho-position (mAzoA) was synthesized, exhibiting reversible photoisomerization between trans- and cis-states using green (546 nm) and blue light (436 nm). Free radical copolymerization of hydrophilic dimethylacrylamide (DMAAm) with mAzoA produced a light-responsive random copolymer (P(mAzoA-r-DMAAm)) that shows a reversible photochromic reaction to visible light. Optimizing mAzoA content resulted in P(mAzoA_10.7-r-DMAAm)_3.0 kDa exhibiting LCST-type phase separation in PBS (pH 7.4) with trans- and cis-states at 39.2 °C and 32.9 °C, respectively. The bistable temperature range of 6

SUBMITTER: Ueki T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11583355 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature