Photo‐regulated phase transition of poly(ethylene glycol) derivative containing azobenzene group

A photo‐responsive and thermo‐responsive poly(ethylene glycol) derivative containing azobenzene group was synthesized. Its photoisomerization kinetics was investigated by the UV–vis spectra, and the pseudo‐first‐order rate constants (k_t and k_c) were determined to be 1.5 × 10^?2 and 9.3 × 10^?2 s^?1, respectively. It is found that the phase transition behavior can be tuned theoretically through photoirradiation between 26.6°C and 36.7°C. Finally, it is worthy to note that the changes of the lower critical solution temperature occur repeatedly upon successive irradiation of UV and visible light. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.