Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 6, 2026

In situ Photo-rheology Monitors Viscoelastic Changes in Photo-responsive Polymer Networks
Published on: June 20, 2025
Reversible Photo- and Thermoresponsive, Self-Assembling Azobenzene Containing Zwitterionic Polymers
Vivek Arjunan Vasantha1, Chen Junhui1, Zhao Wenguang1
1Institute of Chemical and Engineering Sciences , Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) , 1 Pesek Road , Jurong Island, Singapore 627833.
Abstract:
Commercially available azo dyes bearing amino groups were grafted to zwitterionic copolymers composed of cyclic anhydride functionality. The zwitterionic copolymers were prepared for the first time by polymerizing sulfobetaine (SB) monomer with maleic anhydride (MA) under conventional free radical polymerization as well as reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. Poly(SB- co-MA) self-assembled in deionized water. Azobenzene grafted zwitterionic poly((SB- co-MA)- g-Azo) exhibited multiresponsive behavior. As confirmed by UV-vis spectroscopy, trans → cis isomerization of the azo group was responsible for the photo- and thermal responsive behavior. The photoisomerization was reversible, and no photoaging was detected during the repeated exposure to UV and visible light. The water-soluble nature of photoresponsive azo dye grafted copolymers makes it suitable for applications in biological systems.
More Related Videos
12:07Fabricating Degradable Thermoresponsive Hydrogels on Multiple Length Scales via Reactive Extrusion, Microfluidics, Self-assembly, and Electrospinning
Published on: April 16, 2018
10:49Printing Thermoresponsive Reverse Molds for the Creation of Patterned Two-component Hydrogels for 3D Cell Culture
Published on: July 10, 2013
Related Concept Videos
Polymers
Polymers
Protein Complex Assembly
Many viruses self-assemble into a fully functional unit using the infected host cell to...
Reversible and Irreversible Processes
Diode: Reverse bias
Polymer Classification: Architecture