Light-controlled smart nanotubes based on the orthogonal assembly of two homopolymers

Abstract

Two homopolymers can orthogonally self-assemble into pseudo-copolymer based on terminal host-guest interactions, and these supramolecular copolymers further fabricate one-dimensional nanotubes in water. By applying alternate UV/visible light, the aggregates can reversibly assemble and disassemble by means of the association and disassociation of active connection.

Dynamic Macromolecular Material Design—The Versatility of Cyclodextrin‐Based Host–Guest Chemistry

“…Nanotubes with al ength of 220 nm and ad iameter of 90 nm were formed from aP CL-b-PAA with asupramolecular block junction of azobenzene and a-CD. [118] Rhodamine Bc ould be released from the nanotubes with alight trigger. …”

Electrochemical redox responsive supramolecular self-healing hydrogels based on host–guest interaction

“…[22][23] Stimuli-responsive polymers have attracted much interest for their wide applications in multifarious fields. [24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43] . As a type of novel stimuli, electrochemical redox stimuli can be realized without altering the chemical composition of the systems, and such clean trigger mode can be conducted simply by potentiostats.…”

Introduction

“…Two homopolymers, poly (caprolactone)-α-CD (PCL-α-CD) and poly (acrylic acid)-trans-Azo (PAA-tAzo), were designed and synthesized and can form one-dimensional nanotubes in water as shown in Fig. 1.8 [41]. The reversible assembly and disassembly behavior of PCL-α-CD/PAA-tAzo nanotubes was visualized by TEM.…”

“…1.8. (a) Chemical structures of PCL-α-CD and PAA-tAzo, and a schematic representation of the reversible assembly and disassembly of one-dimensional lightresponsive nanotubes; (b) TEM images of the reversible assembly and disassembly of PCL-α-CD/PAA-tAzo nanotubes [41]. PCL, poly e-caprolactone; PAA, polyacrylic acid; Azo, azobenzene.…”