No abstract

The ORCID identification number(s) for the author(s) of this article can be found under https://doi.org/10.1002/macp.201800318. AzopolymersA series of side-chain polymers with a bifunctional repeating unit are prepared by post-polymerization functionalization of poly(propargyl methacrylate) (PPMA) with several azides derived from bis(hydroxymethyl) propionic acid (bis-MPA). The azide incorporates one photoresponsive 4-cyanoazobenzene unit and one photoinert promesogenic moiety at each repeating unit. Both the effect of the photoinert (4-cyanobipheynyl vs 4-cyanotolane) and of the linking group (ester vs carbamate) on the liquid crystalline properties and the generation of optical anisotropy, linear or circular birefringences are explored.

-2 - ABSTRACTThe synthesis and structural characterization of a new dual responsive linear-dendritic block copolymer (LDBC) is presented. The LDBC is constituted by a thermoresponsive linear block from polymethacrylate of oligo-and diethylene glycol, and a light responsive dendron block of bis-MPA decorated at the periphery with 4-isobutyloxyazobenzene and alkyl chains in a 50:50 molar ratio. Blocks are coupled together by copper(I) catalyzed alkyne-azide cycloaddition (CuAAC). The ability of the LDBC to form vesicle self-assemblies in water is described, as well as the effect of light and temperature on the vesicles morphology, on the basis of transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and UV-vis spectroscopy studies.The effect of UV light and temperature on the vesicles structure by SAXS and WAXS conducted on real time is also presented. Finally, the potential use of the vesicles to load and stimuli controlled release of small fluorescent molecules is probed.