Abstract
This review focuses on block copolymers featuring different photo-responsive building blocks and self-assembly of such materials in different selective solvents. We have subdivided the specific examples we selected: (1) according to the wavelength at which the irradiation has to be carried out to achieve photo-response; and (2) according to whether irradiation with light of a suitable wavelength leads to reversible or irreversible changes in material properties (e.g., solubility, charge, or polarity). Exemplarily, an irreversible change could be the photo-cleavage of a nitrobenzyl, pyrenyl or coumarinyl ester, whereas the photo-mediated transition between spiropyran and merocyanin form as well as the isomerization of azobenzenes would represent reversible response to light. The examples presented cover applications including drug delivery (controllable release rates), controlled aggregation/disaggregation, sensing, and the preparation of photochromic hybrid materials.
Highlights
Introduction and ScopeStimuli-responsive materials are capable of undergoing changes with regard to physico-chemical properties such as solubility, polarity, charge, charge density, size or shape.Often, this is exploited in applications, where either response is translated into a certain action or where changes in environmental conditions are reported as or transformed into an optical or chemical readout
This review focuses on photo-responsive block copolymers and nanostructured materials generated thereof via self-assembly in selective solvents, whereby most examples report on processes in aqueous media using amphiphilic block copolymers
Lanthanide-based UCNPs co-doped with Yb3+ and Tm3+ were encapsulated within mesoporous silica and coated with a methacrylate/methacrylamide terpolymer consisting of spiropyrane and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) grafted groups as well as side-chain conjugated folic acid having both an o-nitrobenzyl moiety and an azobenzene group incorporated was photo-triggered in the presence of UCNPs resulting in disruption of the nanoaggregates [177]
Summary
Stimuli-responsive materials are capable of undergoing (reversible) changes with regard to physico-chemical properties such as solubility, polarity, charge, charge density, size or shape. Often, this is exploited in applications, where either response is translated into a certain action or where changes in environmental conditions are reported as or transformed into an optical or chemical readout. Careful adjustment of the used wavelength allows precisely controlling the amount of energy introduced into the system that is exposed to light This can be crucial to allow certain processes to occur or to avoid irreversible photo damage to the material. The examples presented cover applications including drug delivery (controllable release rates), controlled aggregation, sensing, and the preparation of photochromic hybrid materials
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