This communication reports a new type of supramolecular cyclodextrin–guest complexes using cyclodextrin coated upconversion nanoparticles as hosts and monovalent and divalent azobenzenes and arylazopyrazoles as guests.
Surface immobilised polymer brushes containing azobenzenes were prepared using microcontact chemistry and surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerisation. Two surfaces bearing brushes can be glued together in the presence of a β-cyclodextrin polymer.