Photoreversible formation of nanotubes in water from an amphiphilic azobenzene derivative†
Abstract
An anionic azobenzene-appended derivative of L-ValylGlycine self-assembles into nanotubes in water. Irradiation with 365 nm light provokes trans–cis isomerization of the azobenzene unit and subsequent tube disassembly. Thermal or photoinduced (457 nm light) recovery of the trans isomer restores the nanotubes.