Issue 44, 2023

Photo-responsive disassembly of supramolecular polymer bottlebrushes in water

Abstract

We report the 5-step synthesis and self-assembly of an azobenzene-bisurea sticker flanked by two alkyl spacers and poly(ethylene oxide) arms. In the trans-azobenzene configuration, long nano-cylinders can be obtained by first molecularly dissolving the polymer in DMSO, followed by the slow addition of water. The addition of water triggers 1D self-assembly through a combination of strong, cooperative H-bonding between urea motifs and hydrophobic effects. UV-light irradiation triggers the photo-isomerization of azobenzene units into their non-planar cis configuration, rapidly and irreversibly disrupting the photo-responsive assemblies.

Graphical abstract: Photo-responsive disassembly of supramolecular polymer bottlebrushes in water

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
22 Aug 2023
Accepted
10 Okt 2023
First published
12 Okt 2023

Polym. Chem., 2023,14, 4970-4978

Photo-responsive disassembly of supramolecular polymer bottlebrushes in water

L. Harvey, J. Guigner, L. Bouteiller, E. Nicol and O. Colombani, Polym. Chem., 2023, 14, 4970 DOI: 10.1039/D3PY00963G

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