Poly(hydroxyethyl acrylate-co-coumaryl acrylate) as a photo-responsive amphiphile

Poly(hydroxyethyl acrylate-co-coumaryl acrylate)s P(HEA-CA)s were prepared as a photo-responsive amphiphile by a free radical polymerization. Their CA residues were readily dimerized under UV light irradiation (365 nm, 400 W). Their interfacial activity increased in proportional to the CA content. P(HEA-CA)s were self-assembled into microspheres in aqueous phase due to their amphiphilicity which were confirmed by TEM. And the mean diameter was higher with higher CA content. In addition, P(HEA-CA)s could emulsify mineral oil in distilled water. The emulsions prepared with higher CA content were more stable in terms of the droplet size change. They could be destabilized by UV light irradiation.