Photoresponsive Conjugated Microporous Polymer Films Fabricated by Electrochemical Deposition for Controlled Release

Abstract

Stable controlled release system, conjugated microporous polymers (CMPs) with stimuli-responsive properties can be ideal structures because their 3D microporous matrix structure and possible stimulated response provide inherent switchable acceptor sites to capture and release guest molecules. Herein, the in situ electrochemical deposition of precursors (DTCzAzo) is utilized to construct highly crosslinked photoresponsive CMP films, which can reversibly undergo the trans-to-cis isomerization alternately with irradiation by 355 and 480 nm laser beams. The size of pores in CMP films changes tremendously during the process of trans-cis photoisomerization, to controllably capture, conserve, and release the guest molecules.

Keywords: azobenzene; conjugated microporous polymer; controlled release; electrochemical deposition; photoresponse.