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 8 2023
Accepted
10 10 2023
First published
12 10 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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