Premium
Synthesis of Photoresponsive Spiropyran‐Based Hybrid Polymers and Controllable Light‐Triggered Self‐Assembly Study in Toluene
Author(s) -
Ma Li,
Li Jinze,
Han Dan,
Geng Haiping,
Chen Guangxin,
Li Qifang
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
macromolecular chemistry and physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.57
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1521-3935
pISSN - 1022-1352
DOI - 10.1002/macp.201200590
Subject(s) - spiropyran , silsesquioxane , polymer chemistry , atom transfer radical polymerization , polymer , toluene , self assembly , methacrylate , polymerization , materials science , photochemistry , chemistry , photochromism , chemical engineering , organic chemistry , engineering
Abstract A series of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane end‐capped poly(spiropyran‐containing methacrylate) (POSS–PSPMA) polymers, a kind of photoresponsive hybrid polymer, are synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization. It is proved that the molecular weight of POSS–PSPMA is sharply increased by raising the proportion of methanol or the concentration of the reactants. The self‐assembly behavior of POSS–PSPMA is studied in toluene: under the control of UV and visible light, POSS–PSPMA can reversibly self‐assemble into aggregates because the charged merocyanines (MC) form stacks. These MC stacks act as non‐covalent crosslinking points and POSS shell guarantees the stability of the aggregates. This system has a broad potential use in nanocarriers, especially for encapsulating and releasing polar substances in the nonpolar solvents.