4D printed polymethacrylate lattices capable of dimensional switching and payload release via photoresponsive actuation of azobenzene units

MacKay, J., Hart, L. R., Tareq, A. Z., Wang, S., Gonzalez Abrego, V., Maskery, I., Irvine, D., Wildman, R. D. and Hayes, W. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0047-2991 (2025) 4D printed polymethacrylate lattices capable of dimensional switching and payload release via photoresponsive actuation of azobenzene units. Materials Advances. ISSN 2633-5409 doi: 10.1039/D5MA00670H

Abstract/Summary

In this report, we demonstrate the synthesis of photoresponsive polymeric hydrogel lattices using stereolithographic 3D printing to afford objects that can change shape when irradiated with UV-vis light. Methacrylate-based monomers featuring azobenzene units were used as the photo-actuator components. Co-polymerisation of these monomers with 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate produced well-defined hydrogel lattices. Photo-actuation of the hydrogels led to contraction of the 3D printed lattices up to 23 % by volume. The ability of such photoresponsive hydrogel lattices to exhibit payload release has been studied using methylene blue as a drug mimic. Upon irradiation, the hydrogel lattice was squeezed like a sponge through photo-induced actuation in pulses, resulting in the controlled release of the pro-drug over 24 hours.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://centaur.reading.ac.uk/id/eprint/123786
Identification Number/DOI	10.1039/D5MA00670H
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Interdisciplinary centres and themes > Chemical Analysis Facility (CAF) Life Sciences > School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy > Department of Chemistry
Publisher	Royal Society of Chemistry
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