Photo-Switchable Nanomechanical Systems Comprising a Nanocontainer (Montmorillonite) and Light-Driven Molecular Jack (Azobenzene-Imidazolium Ionic Liquids) as Drug Delivery Systems; Synthesis, Characterization, and in Vitro Release Studies

In this work, photoresponsive nanomechanical systems were prepared through the intercalation of positively charged photoswitching molecular jacks (azobenzene ionic liquids, Azo-ILs) within montmorillonite (MMT) layers (MMT@Azo-ILs). The study shows that MMT@Azo-ILs are photosensitive and the synthesized molecular jacks could change the basal distances of MMT layers upon UV irradiation. These changes come from changes in the structure and geometry of Azo molecules (i.e., cis-trans isomerization) between clay layers upon UV irradiation. The prepared photoresponsive nanomechanical systems were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), field-emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM). Moreover, the in vitro release studies were performed in different conditions (upon UV irradiation and darkness) in pH 5.8 at 34 ± 1 °C, and it was found that the release rates from drug loaded MMT@Azo-ILs were higher upon UV irradiation in comparison with the release rates in darkness. According to the release studies, the prepared photoresponsive carriers might be considered as an excellent potential candidate in order to formulate smart sunscreens.