Multi-stimuli Responsive Supramolecular Structures Based on Azobenzene Surfactant-Encapsulated Polyoxometalate

Multi-stimuli responsive materials have attracted intense attention as extensive application prospect in many fields, yet achievement of multi-stimuli responsiveness remains a challenge. Herein, we report a tri-stimuli responsive supramolecular structure fabricated by a cationic surfactant, 4-ethyl-4′-(trimethylaminohexyloxy) azobenzene bromide (ETAB), and anionic Eu-containing polyoxometalates (Eu-POM), based on an ionic self-assembly (ISA) strategy. Following different responsive mechanisms, the resultant ETAB/Eu-POM supramolecular materials are responsive to UV light, pH, and Cu2+, respectively. The response to UV irradiation is based on the configuration change of azobenzene molecules. The response to H+ can be attributed to the formation of a hydrogen bond W–O···H···O–H among Eu-POM, H+, and H2O, which blocks the energy transfer pathway from O → W, while the coordination interaction between Cu2+ and Oc (bridged oxygen of two octahedra sharing an edge in the Eu-POM molecule) causes the response to Cu2+. The multi-stimuli responsive characteristics for the ETAB/Eu-POM supramolecular structures maybe provide a potential application in ultraviolet detection, optical storage devices, and chemical substance sensors, etc.