Abstract
Smart foams with tunable foamability exhibit superb applications in many fields such as colloidal and interface science. Herein, we have synthesized an azobenzene-containing surfactant with excellent photoresponsiveness by a simple thiol-maleimide click reaction between thioglycolic acid and 4-(N-maleimide) azobenzene (MAB). The structure and the photoresponsive behavior of the novel surfactant are characterized. Depending on the solution concentration, the synthesized surfactant demonstrated various speeds for the trans/cis photoisomerization varying from 9 to 24 s for the given concentration range and excellent reversible photoisomerization cycling stability (more than 20 cycles) upon light irradiation. Based on these conformational switches, a series of phototriggered obvious surface properties (e.g., critical micelle concentration (CMC), surface tension (γ), and surface excess concentration (Γ)) changes of the surfactant are achieved. More specifically, the smart foam system with tunable foamability is realized. As-formed smart foams with rapid photocontrolled reversible foaming/defoaming transition and excellent cycling stability make them very attractive candidates for applications in wastewater treatment, green textile, oil extraction, and emulsification.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
