Dataset Information

Photo-Responsivity Improvement of Photo-Mobile Polymers Actuators Based on a Novel LCs/Azobenzene Copolymer and ZnO Nanoparticles Network.

ABSTRACT: The efficiency of photomobile polymers (PMP) in the conversion of light into mechanical work plays a fundamental role in achieving cutting-edge innovation in the development of novel applications ranging from energy harvesting to sensor approaches. Because of their photochromic properties, azobenzene monomers have been shown to be an efficient material for the preparation of PMPs with appropriate photoresponsivity. Upon integration of the azobenzene molecules as moieties into a polymer, they act as an engine, allowing fast movements of up to 50 Hz. In this work we show a promising approach for integrating ZnO nanoparticles into a liquid crystalline polymer network. The addition of such nanoparticles allows the trapping of incoming light, which acts as diffusive points in the polymer matrix. We characterized the achieved nanocomposite material in terms of thermomechanical and optical properties and finally demonstrated that the doped PMP was better performing that the undoped PMP film.

SUBMITTER: Sagnelli D

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8705796 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Photo-Responsivity Improvement of Photo-Mobile Polymers Actuators Based on a Novel LCs/Azobenzene Copolymer and ZnO Nanoparticles Network.

Sagnelli Domenico D Calabrese Marcella M Kaczmarczyk Olga O Rippa Massimo M Vestri Ambra A Marchesano Valentina V Kortsen Kristoffer K Cuzzucoli Crucitti Valentina V Villani Fulvia F Loffredo Fausta F Borriello Carmela C Nenna Giuseppe G Cocca Mariacristina M Ambrogi Veronica V Matczyszyn Katarzyna K Simoni Francesco F Petti Lucia L

Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland) 20211207 12

The efficiency of photomobile polymers (PMP) in the conversion of light into mechanical work plays a fundamental role in achieving cutting-edge innovation in the development of novel applications ranging from energy harvesting to sensor approaches. Because of their photochromic properties, azobenzene monomers have been shown to be an efficient material for the preparation of PMPs with appropriate photoresponsivity. Upon integration of the azobenzene molecules as moieties into a polymer, they act ...[more]

PMID: 34947671

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Project description:Background and purposeThe photo-isomerizable local anaesthetic, quaternary ammonium-azobenzene-quaternary ammonium (QAQ), provides rapid, optical control over pain signalling without involving genetic modification. In darkness or in green light, trans-QAQ blocks voltage-gated K+ and Na+ channels and silences action potentials in pain-sensing neurons. Upon photo-isomerization to cis with near UV light, QAQ blockade is rapidly relieved, restoring neuronal activity. However, the molecular mechanism of cis and trans QAQ blockade is not known. Moreover, the absorption spectrum of QAQ requires UV light for photo-control, precluding use deep inside neural tissue.Experimental approachElectrophysiology and molecular modelling were used to characterize the binding of cis and trans QAQ to voltage-gated K+ channels and to develop quaternary ammonium-ethylamine-azobenzene-quaternary ammonium (QENAQ), a red-shifted QAQ derivative controlled with visible light.Key resultstrans QAQ was sixfold more potent than cis QAQ, in blocking current through Shaker K+ channels. Both isomers were use-dependent, open channel blockers, binding from the cytoplasmic side, but only trans QAQ block was slightly voltage dependent. QENAQ also blocked native K+ and Na+ channels preferentially in the trans state. QENAQ was photo-isomerized to cis with blue light and spontaneously reverted to trans within seconds in darkness, enabling rapid photo-control of action potentials in sensory neurons.Conclusions and implicationsLight-switchable local anaesthetics provide a means to non-invasively photo-control pain signalling with high selectivity and fast kinetics. Understanding the mode of action of QAQ and related compounds will help to design of drugs with improved photo-pharmacological properties.Linked articlesThis article is part of a themed section on Recent Advances in Targeting Ion Channels to Treat Chronic Pain. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v175.12/issuetoc.

Dataset Information

Photo-Responsivity Improvement of Photo-Mobile Polymers Actuators Based on a Novel LCs/Azobenzene Copolymer and ZnO Nanoparticles Network.

Publications

Photo-Responsivity Improvement of Photo-Mobile Polymers Actuators Based on a Novel LCs/Azobenzene Copolymer and ZnO Nanoparticles Network.

Similar Datasets

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