A Study of Photochromic Azobenzene Liquid Crystals as Controlled Release Drug Delivery Systems

摘要

Photochemically induced liquid crystal phasetransitions are considered in the context of photo-inducedcontrolled drug release. The model materials examined are thehomologous series of 4-n-buty1-4'-n-alkoxyazobenzenes(BAABs). Radiation from a low power argon ion laser is used toinduce the photochromic trans-cis isomerisation of the materials,resulting in an isothermal phase transition from the nematic tothe isotropic phase. The response times are examined with respectto temperature, cell thickness and homologue. The data arediscussed in the context of such system's usefulness and ultimateapplicability in photo-responsive drug delivery devices.