Reversible solubilization of typical polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by a photoresponsive surfactant

- A novel principle for reversible surfactant-enhanced remediation was explicated.
- The feasibility of this principle for organics-polluted soil was preliminarily verified.
- Photoresponsive surfactant AZTMA was suitable for reversible solubilizing PAHs.
- Solubilization-release cycle of PAHs by AZTMA manipulated promptly under UV-vis irradiation.