Photoswitchable gel assembly based on molecular recognition.
The formation of effective and precise linkages in bottom-up or top-down processes is important for the development of self-assembled materials. Self-assembly through molecular recognition events is a powerful tool for producing functionalized materials. Photoresponsive molecular recognition systems can permit the creation of photoregulated self-assembled macroscopic objects. Here we demonstrate that macroscopic gel assembly can be highly regulated through photoisomerization of an azobenzene moiety that interacts differently with two host molecules. A photoregulated gel assembly system is developed using polyacrylamide-based hydrogels functionalized with azobenzene (guest) or cyclodextrin (host) moieties. Reversible adhesion and dissociation of the host gel from the guest gel may be controlled by photoirradiation. The differential affinities of α-cyclodextrin or β-cyclodextrin for the trans-azobenzene and cis-azobenzene are employed in the construction of a photoswitchable gel assembly system.
Department of Macromolecular Science, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Osaka 560-0043, Japan.
Hiroyasu
H
Yamaguchi
Yuichiro
Y
Kobayashi
Ryosuke
R
Kobayashi
Yoshinori
Y
Takashima
Akihito
A
Hashidzume
Akira
A
Harada
D001391:Azo Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D002942:Circular Dichroism; D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide / Q000737:chemistry; D005782:Gels / Q000737:chemistry*; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry; D007700:Kinetics; D008027:Light; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy / Q000379:methods; D008422:Materials Testing; D008956:Models, Chemical; D009570:Nitriles / Q000737:chemistry; D010777:Photochemistry / Q000379:methods; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D013055:Spectrophotometry, Infrared / Q000379:methods; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry; D047391:alpha-Cyclodextrins / Q000737:chemistry; D047392:beta-Cyclodextrins / Q000737:chemistry
D001391:Azo Compounds; D005782:Gels; D020100:Hydrogels; D009570:Nitriles; D011108:Polymers; D047391:alpha-Cyclodextrins; D047392:beta-Cyclodextrins; D014867:Water; C022246:isobutyronitrile; C009850:azobenzene; C031215:betadex; D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide; C032613:alpha-cyclodextrin