Photomotion of Hydrogels with Covalently Attached Azo Dye Moieties-Thermoresponsive and Non-Thermoresponsive Gels

Year: 2022

Authors: Jaik TG., Flatae AM., Soltani N., Reuschel P., Agio M., Descrovi E., Jonas U.

Autors Affiliation: Univ Siegen, Dept Chem Biol, Adolf Reichwein Str 2, D-57076 Siegen, Germany; Univ Siegen, Dept Phys, Walter Flex Str 3, D-57072 Siegen, Germany; Natl Res Council CNR, Natl Inst Opt INO, Via Nello Carrara 1, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; Politecn Torino, Dept Appl Sci Technol DISAT, Corso Duca Abruzzi 24, I-10129 Turin, Italy.

Abstract: The unique photomotion of azo materials under irradiation has been in the focus of research for decades and has been expanded to different classes of solids such as polymeric glasses, liquid crystalline materials, and elastomers. In this communication, azo dye-containing gels are obtained by photocrosslinking of non-thermoresponsive and lower critical solution temperature type thermoresponsive copolymers. These are analysed with light microscopy regarding their actuation behaviour under laser irradiation. The influences of the cloud-point temperature and of the laser power are investigated in a series of comparative experiments. The thermoresponsive hydrogels show more intense photoactuation when the cloud-point temperature of the non-crosslinked polymer is above, but closer to, room temperature, while higher laser powers lead to stronger motion, indicating a photothermal mechanism. In non-thermoresponsive gels, considerably weaker photoactuation occurs, signifying a secondary mechanism that is a direct consequence of the optical field-azo dye interaction.

Journal/Review: GELS

Volume: 8 (9)      Pages from: 541-1  to: 541-11

More Information: This research was funded by the University of Siegen and Faculty IV of the University of Siegen.
KeyWords: photoactuation; azo hydrogels; LCST
DOI: 10.3390/gels8090541

Citations: 2
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