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ABSTRACT Light-responsive poly(carbonate)s PEG113- b-PMPC n-SP were synthesized via copper catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition reaction between azide-modified spiropyran (SP-N3) and amphiphilic copolymer PEG113- b-PMPC n. PEG113- b-PMPC25-SP can self-assemble to biocompatible micelles with an average diameter of ∼96 nm and a critical aggregation concentration of 0.0148 mg mL−1. Under 365 nm UV light irradiation, the characteristic absorption intensity of merocyanine (MC) progressively increased and most of the micellar aggregations were disrupted within 10 min, suggesting the completion of the transformation of hydrophobic SP to hydrophilic MC. Subsequent exposuring the micelles to 620 nm visible light, spherical micelles aggregated again. The light-controlled release and re-encapsulation behaviors of coumarin 102-loaded micelles were further investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy. This study provides a convenient way to construct smart poly(carbonate)s nanocarriers for controlled release and re-encapsulation of hydrophobic drugs. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015, 53, 750-760 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]