Inherently UV Photodegradable Poly(methacrylate) Gels

Organogels (hydrophobic polymer gels) are soft materials based on polymeric networks swollen in organic solvents. They hydrophobic and possess a high content of solvent low surface adhesion, rendering them interesting applications such as encapsulants, drug delivery, actuators, slippery surfaces (self-cleaning, anti-waxing, anti-bacterial), or for oil-water separation. To design functional organogels, strategies to control their shape structure required. Herein, the inherent UV photodegradability poly(methacrylate) organogels is reported. No additional photosensitizers required efficiently degrade (d ≈ 1 mm) minute scale. A absorbance swelling ability infusing organogel found be beneficial fast photodegradation, which expected transferrable other gel photochemistry. Organogel arrays, films, structured prepared, extraction properties examined. Films inherently photodegradable copper circuit boards serve first ever positive photoresist. Spatially photodegraded films protect reveal against an etchant (FeCl3 aq.).