Multifunctional photo- and thermo-responsive copolymer nanoparticles

Abstract A novel amphiphilic photochromic copolymer P1 - o consisting of a hydrophilic poly( N -isopropylacrylamide) backbone and thermally irreversible photochromic and hydrophobic 1,2-dithienylethene derivative pendants was designed, synthesized and used to fabricate self-assembled copolymer nanoparticles in an aqueous condition. The hydrodynamic diameters of the multifunctional copolymer P1 - o nanoparticles reversibly switched between two stable states with two stimuli: light and temperature in an aqueous suspension. Graphical abstract: Download full-size image