Optically Triggered Dissociation of Kinetically Stabilized Block Copolymer Vesicles in Aqueous Solution

On-demand shape transformation of polymer vesicles via site-specific isomerization of hydrazone photoswitches in monodisperse hydrophobic oligomers

Stimuli-responsive polymersomes exhibited reversible shape transformation upon irradiation with UV or visible light due to the E–Z isomerization of the hydrazone-based photoswitch resulting in a conformational change of the OPLA block.

Photo-controlled release of metal ions using triazoline-containing amphiphilic copolymers

Photo-controlled release of metal ions can be achieved by denitrogenation of triazoline from the micelles of amphiphilic copolymer, and has potential applications for biomedicines.

Dual-Responsive SPMA-Modified Polymer Photonic Crystals and Their Dynamic Display Patterns

Light and electrothermal responsive polymer photonic crystals (PCs) modified with 1'-acryloyl chloride-3',3'-dimethyl-6-nitro-spiro(2H-1-benzopyran-2,2'-indoline) (SPMA) are proposed, and their dynamic display patterns are achieved through the combination of the SPMA-modified PCs and a patterned graphite layer. These PCs exhibit fluorescence under UV light irradiation because of the isomerization of the SPMA, which is restricted in the shell of the polymer colloidal spheres. After a voltage is applied to the patterned graphite layer, the fluorescence of PCs in the specific area disappears, and dynamic display patterns are obtained. Under UV light irradiation, the PCs change from the "partial-fluorescence" state to the initial "fluorescence" state, and the patterns disappear. Using this technique, the PC pattern "M L N" on the glass substrate and PC patterns from "0" to "9" on the paper substrate are fabricated. Thus, these dual-responsive PCs have potential applications in information recording, anticounterfeiting, dynamic display, and photoelectric devices.

Light- and pH-dually responsive dendrimer-star copolymer containing spiropyran groups: synthesis, self-assembly and controlled drug release

Dendrimer-star copolymer containing spiropyran groups could self-assemble into micelles and presented light- and pH-dually responsive properties.

Aqueous Self-Assembly of Y-Shaped Amphiphilic Block Copolymers into Giant Vesicles

The preparation and aqueous self-assembly of newly Y-shaped amphiphilic block polyurethane (PUG) copolymers are reported here. These amphiphilic copolymers, designed to have two hydrophilic poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) tails and one hydrophobic alkyl tail via a two-step coupling reaction, can self-assemble into giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) (diameter ≥ 1000 nm) with a direct dissolution method in aqueous solution, depending on their Y-shaped structures and initial concentrations. More interesting, the copolymers can self-assemble into various distinct nano-/microstructures, such as spherical micelles, small vesicles, and GUVs, with the increase of their concentrations. The traditional preparation methods of GUVs generally need conventional amphiphilic molecules and additional complicated conditions, such as alternating electrical field, buffer solution, or organic solvent. Therefore, the self-assembly of Y-shaped PUGs with a direct dissolution method in aqueous solution demonstrated in this study supplies a new clue to fabricate GUVs based on the geometric design of amphiphilic polymers.

RAFT synthesis and micellization of a photo-, temperature- and pH-responsive diblock copolymer based on spiropyran

A photo-, temperature- and pH-responsive diblock copolymer containing a rigid spiropyran moiety was synthesized and its micellization was investigated.

Light-triggered “on–off” switching of fluorescence based on a naphthopyran-containing compound polymer micelle

We report a compound micelle based on a naphthopyran-containing copolymer and a fluorophore-containing copolymer for light-triggered “on–off” switching of fluorescence.

Spiropyran-based dynamic materials

In the past few years, spiropyran has emerged as the molecule-of-choice for the construction of novel dynamic materials. This unique molecular switch undergoes structural isomerisation in response to a variety of orthogonal stimuli, e.g. light, temperature, metal ions, redox potential, and mechanical stress. Incorporation of this switch onto macromolecular supports or inorganic scaffolds allows for the creation of robust dynamic materials. This review discusses the synthesis, switching conditions, and use of dynamic materials in which spiropyran has been attached to the surfaces of polymers, biomacromolecules, inorganic nanoparticles, as well as solid surfaces. The resulting materials show fascinating properties whereby the state of the switch intimately affects a multitude of useful properties of the support. The utility of the spiropyran switch will undoubtedly endow these materials with far-reaching applications in the near future.

Spiropyran-conjugated pluronic as a dual responsive colorimetric detector

Novel spiropyran-conjugated Pluronic [polyethylene oxide (PEO)-b-polypropylene oxide (PPO)-b-polyethylene oxide (PEO)] micelles are developed as a new colorimetric detector showing photo- or thermo-switchable behavior. Facile conjugation of spiropyran to Pluronic was confirmed by (1)H NMR, UV-Vis, and Fluorescence spectroscopy. A switchable photoluminescence is found depending on the irradiation with either UV or visible light, and temperature resulting from structural isomerization of spiropyran between spiropyran (SP) and merocyanine (MC) form. Cytotoxicity of the spiropyran-conjugated Pluronic (SP-PL) was evaluated following an MTT assay, whereas photo responsiveness of spiropyran within the micelles was determined by confocal laser scanning microscopy.