A photoresponsive wettability switch based on a dimethylamino calix[4]arene.

A photoreversible switch based on a photoresponsive host-guest system consisting of dimethylamino calix[4]arene L and 4-(phenylazo)benzoic acid (O) is reported. The host L exhibited selective binding and release of O on UV and visible irradiation at 450 and 365 nm, respectively. Moreover, the photoresponsive host-guest complex was applied as a photocontrolled wettability switch on a functional micro/nanostructured silicon surface, and is thus promising for applications in sensors and microfluidic devices.