Reversible Light-Triggered Transition of Amphiphilic Random Copolymers

Abstract

A new set of amphiphilic random copolymers has been constructed directly by hydrophilic, hydrophobic, and functional spiropyran monomers in one-pot ROMP. The resulting copolymers are able to self-assemble in water to polymeric micelles, which exhibit reversible disruption and regeneration characteristics upon ultraviolet (UV) and visible-light irradiation. When hydrophobic dyes Nile red, which served as a model for drug delivery, are encapsulated within the core of polymeric micelle, their releasing and reloading have been realized by exposure to UV and visible light, respectively, in the aqueous solution.