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.