Low-molecular-weight photoresponsive supramulecular hydrogel based on a dicationic azobenzene-bridged pyridinium hydrogelator

Abstract Low-molecular-weight supramolecular hydrogels are of significant attractive soft materials as particular functions can be facilely introduced by the straightforward fabrication of such self-assembled systems. In this study, an azobenzene-bridged dicationic pyridinium salt was synthesized, from which photoresponsive supramolecular hydrogel could be fabricated through the π-π stacking and hydrophobic interactions in the aqueous solution. By taking advantages of the UV–vis light induced E / Z photoisomerization behaviors of the incorporated azobenzene photochromophore, reversible gel-sol transformation of such supramolecular hydrogel could be achieved under the alternating UV–vis irradiation conditions. We believed that this photoresponsive supramolecular hydrogel will be a good supplementary in the creation of intelligent soft material.