Supramolecular crosslinked linear poly(trimethylene iminium trifluorosulfonimide) polymer gels sensitive to light and thermal stimuli

A photo- and thermoresponsive physical gel has been developed based on crosslinked supramolecular polymer networks. The gel shows reversible sol-gel phase transitions induced by heat or light irradiation. The photoinsol-gel phase transition shown in the figure results from the cis-trans photoisomerization of an azobenzene group present in the crosslinker.