Reversible photo-responsive vesicle based on the complexation between an azobenzene containing molecule and alpha-cyclodextrin

An amphiphilic molecule, Azo-Cl, was successfully synthesized and found to be able to construct reversible spherical vesicles in water. The assembled vesicles disappeared on the addition of equimolar α-cyclodextrin, α-CD, and reformed with UV irradiation due to the exclusion of the cis-azobenzene, Azo, group from α-CD, s hydrophobic cavity. With Vis irradiation, the vesicles were demolished again as α-CD combined with the Azo group again. These reversible photo-responsive vesicles based on the complexation between Azo-Cl and α-CD should be ideal switchable biomimetic membranes or carriers for photo-controllable release of functional matters like drugs.Jianjia Liu, Liang Yan, Jie Wang, Tao Li, Hanqing Zhao, Li Li, Stephen F. Lincoln, Robert K. Prud'homme and Xuhong Gu