Supramolecular Gels Based on Azobenzene Derivatives

In the past years, azobenzene, as a common photoreactive group, has been widely used in intelligent photocontrolled supramolecular gels. In the field of biomedicine, a few supramolecular hydrogels based on azobenzene are regarded as carriers with low damage and high control in vivo due to their advantages in light response. In the environmental field, some hydrogels can also adsorb pollutants under the control of light through the interaction between host and guest. At the same time, supramolecular hydrogels based on azobenzene with multiple stimulus responses have been studied. It is difficult for most supramolecular organogels to have multiple stimulus responses simultaneously and the preparation conditions are also more complex. In this paper, I have summarized the latest research results of supramolecular hydrogels and organogels based on azobenzene in recent years so that researchers can have a deeper understanding of the preparation methods, properties and application of the supramolecular gels containing azobenzene.