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Published on: October 31, 2019
Photoinduced viscosity control of lecithin-based reverse wormlike micellar systems using azobenzene derivatives
Masaaki Akamatsu1, Mayu Shiina1, Rekha Goswami Shrestha1
1Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science 2641 Yamazaki Noda Chiba 278-8510 Japan.
Abstract:
This report describes the controlled viscosity changes of photoresponsive reverse wormlike micellar systems formed by soybean lecithin (SoyPC), d-ribose, and azobenzene derivatives in decane. UV light irradiation produces a significant (150-fold) decrease in solution viscosity by triggering a structural transformation of the wormlike micelles. Subsequent visible light irradiation leads to recovery of the initial micellar structure and elevated solution viscoelasticity. This dramatic, reversible variation in solution viscosity by light irradiation can be applied to cosmetics, personal care products, and device components.

