Tetrafluorinated versus hydrogenated azobenzene polymers in water: Access to visible-ligh stimulus at the expense of responsiveness

•Polymers bearing tetra-o-fluoroazobenzenes self-assemble differently from molecule or polymer bearing hydrogenated azobenzenes.•Unimolecular micelles are observed for the tetra-o-fluoroazobenzene polymer.•the tetra-o-fluoroazobenzene polymer does not associate with β-cyclodextrin in water.•Formation of hydrogels (and bioconjugates) is possible via thiol-maleimide reaction.•No mechanical response was observed although tetra-o-fluoroazobenzenes can photo-switch.