Epoxy-based azo molecular glasses with four-arm architecture: Preparation,characterization and holographic recording

A series of epoxy-based azo molecular glasses with four-arm architecture was synthesized, characterized and applied to holographic recording.     

Construction and application of photoresponsive smart nanochannels

In living organisms, many biological processes are inextricably linked with light, such as the photosynthesis systems and rhodopsin. Hence, construction of light-sensitive biomimetic-nanochannels, which can realize the functions of cells and other membrane structures with high degree of spatial and temporal control, is particularly attractive and challenging. As a cornerstone of light-sensitive nanochannels, the photoresponsive materials are a big family and at their mature stage after several decades of development, which can provide different strategies to construct biomimetic photoresponsive nanochannels. In this review, we mainly summarize the construction and applications of photoresponsive nanochannels on the basis of various photoresponsive materials. The construction of photoresponsive nanochannels can be classified into four categories: photoresponsive inorganic nanochannels based on inorganic-compound-based photonic sensitive materials; photoresponsive organic nanochannels based on organic-compound-based photonic sensitive materials; photoresponsive polymers nanochannel based on photoresponsive polymers materials and potential photoresponsive nanochannels based on other photoresponsive materials. After introducing the construction of photoresponsive nanochannels, the review highlights some of the most recent applications of photoresponsive nanochannels in separation, energy conversion and storage, drug delivery and so on.     

Photo-responsive nanoparticles for β-lapachone delivery in vitro

We reported a one-step encapsulation of indocyanine green (ICG) in ZIF-8 nanoparticles (NPs). The as-prepared ICG@ZIF-8 NPs possess an absorption band in the near infrared region and have the good photothermal conversion efficiency.     

Preparation and Characterization of PVC-based Photoresponsive Polymers Containing Azo-chromophores

New strategy was developed for the preparation of the photoresponsive polymers containing azo-chromophores as side-groups from the active chlorine atoms of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The anilinated polyvinyl chloride precursors, anilinated polyvinyl chloride (PVC-An) and o-chloroanilinated polyvinyl chloride (PVC-oClAn), synthesized chemically by reacting PVC with sodium aniline (o-chloroaniline) salt. Then the two novel PVC-based polymers functionalized with azo-chromophores (PVC-AZ-An and PVC-o-AZ-NP) were synthesized via the azo-coupling reactions of the anilinated polyvinyl chloride precursors (PVC-An and PVC-oClAn) with the diazonium salts of aniline and alpha naphthylamine, respectively. The structures of polymers were confirmed by FTIR and ¹H–NMR. The UV-Vis spectra of the obtained polymer in THF solution showed that the π ?π ? absorption band of PVC-o-AZ-NP shifted to longer wavelength (red-shifted) due to the influence of auxochrome (-Cl) compared to the π ?π ? absorption band of PVC-AZ-An.     

支化侧链偶氮无规共聚物中空和类囊泡聚集体研究

研究了支化侧链型偶氮无规共聚物(PMAPB6P-AA)在THF/H2O混合溶液中的自组装行为.研究发现,通过缓慢增加体系的水含量,可以制备出具有中空结构的非球形聚集体.调节聚合物的初始浓度,可以得到不同粒径的聚集体.聚集体中偶氮生色团的光致异构化速率与异构化程度随聚合物初始浓度的增大而减小.在此基础上,采用更加缓慢的增加水含量的方法,使聚合物分子进行充分的疏水聚集与H-聚集,制备出类囊泡状聚集体.在紫外光照射条件下,观察到类囊泡聚集体发生了光致解聚集.     

Strong,Self-Healable,and Recyclable Visible-Light-Responsive Hydrogel Actuators

The most pressing challenges for light-driven hydrogel actuators include reliance on UV light, slow response, poor mechanical properties, and limited functionalities. Now, a supramolecular design strategy is used to address these issues. Key is the use of a benzylimine-functionalized anthracene group, which red-shifts the absorption into the visible region and also stabilizes the supramolecular network through π–π interactions. Acid–ether hydrogen bonds are incorporated for energy dissipation under mechanical deformation and maintaining hydrophilicity of the network. This double-crosslinked supramolecular hydrogel developed via a simple synthesis exhibits a unique combination of high strength, rapid self-healing, and fast visible-light-driven shape morphing both in the wet and dry state. As all of the interactions are dynamic, the design enables the structures to be recycled and reprogrammed into different 3D objects.     

Azopyridine-imidacloprid derivatives as photoresponsive neonicotinoids

A series of imidacloprid derivatives containing an azopyridine motif as a photoswitchable functional group were designed and synthesized. The new version of photoresponsive imidacloprid analogues showed improved solubility in comparison with their azobenzene analogues. 1.2 to 2-fold activity difference was observed for these azopyridine-imidacloprids against house fly (Musca domestica) and cowpea aphid (Aphis craccivora) upon irradiation.     

Photoresponsive organic field-effect transistors involving photochromic molecules

In recent years, organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) with high performance and novel multifunctionalities have attracted considerable attention. Meanwhile, featured with reversible photoisomerization and the corresponding variation in color, chemical/physical properties, photochromic molecules have been applied in sensors, photo-switches and memories. Incorporation of photochromic molecules to blend in the device functional layers or to modify the interfaces of OFETs is common way to build photo-transistors. In this review, we focus on the recent advantages on the study of photoresponsive transistors involving one of three typical photochromic compounds spiropyran, diarylethene and azobenzene. Three main strategies are demonstrated in detail. Firstly, photochromic molecules are doped in active layers or combined with semiconductor structure thus forming photoreversible active layers. Secondly, the modification of dielectric layer/active layer interface is mainly carried out by bilayer dielectric. Thirdly, the photo-isomerization of self-assembled monolayer (SAM) on the electrode/active layer interface can reversibly modulate the work functions and charge injection barrier, result in bifunctional OFETs. All in all, the combination of photochromic molecules and OFETs is an efficient way for the fabrication of organic photoelectric devices. Photoresponsive transistors consisted of photochromic molecules are potential candidate for real applications in the future.