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Reversible Phase Transition of Robust Luminescent Hybrid Hydrogels
Author(s) -
Li Zhiqiang,
Wang Guannan,
Wang Yige,
Li Huanrong
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
angewandte chemie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1521-3757
pISSN - 0044-8249
DOI - 10.1002/ange.201712670
Subject(s) - azobenzene , self healing hydrogels , luminescence , chemistry , isomerization , dissociation (chemistry) , photochemistry , lanthanide , supramolecular chemistry , phase transition , combinatorial chemistry , polymer chemistry , materials science , ion , molecule , organic chemistry , catalysis , optoelectronics , physics , quantum mechanics
We report herein on remote control over a reversible phase transition of robust luminescent hybrid hydrogels as enabled by the rational selection and incorporation of photoswitches. Azobenzene units functionalized with a guanidinium group were utilized as the photoswitches and incorporated through a host–guest inclusion method involving α‐cyclodextrins functionalized with 2,6‐pyridinedicarboxylic acid (PDA) groups. While the guanidinium functional groups bind to the negatively charged Laponite matrix surface to connect organic and inorganic components, the PDA groups enable simultaneous coordination with different lanthanide metal ions, thus rendering the hydrogel broadly luminescent. Owing to its conformation‐dependent binding behavior with α‐cyclodextrin, the isomerization of azobenzene induced association or dissociation of the inclusion complexes and thus lead to a reversible photocontrolled sol↔gel phase transition of the luminescent hybrid hydrogels.