Recent advances and potential applications of the photo-induced macroscopic response of self-assembled azopolymer in aqueous media

This mini-review highlights issues related to the photo-triggered macroscopic response of azopolymer in supramolecular hydrogel and polymer vesicles. Cyclodextrin (CD) can form an inclusion complex with trans-azobenzene while cis-azobenzene is expelled out of the CD's cavity. This photo-reversible supramolecular host-guest interaction is used to trigger sol-gel transitions and to induce macroscopic assembly. When substituted azobenzene is located at chain ends of linear polyethylene glycol, monodisperse vesicles are formed exhibiting a photo-induced pulsating behavior. The macroscopic phase transition and assembly or pulsating behavior of azopolymers can be expected to have potential applications as smart biomedical materials. (C) 2014 Society of Chemical Industry