Azobenzene polymers polymethacrylates

Tang XD, Gao LC, Fan XH, Zhou QF (2007) Controlled grafting of ethyl cellulose with azobenzene-containing polymethacrylates via atom transfer radical polymerization. J Polym Sci Polym Chem 45 1653-1660... 

A large number of azobenzene-based amorphous and liquid crystalline polymers, particularly polyacrylates and polymethacrylates with chiral azobenzene pendants, have been prepared for the development of data storage and photonic devices [1-3,11-14]. For instance, the introduction of optically active mesogenic azobenzene residues into the side groups of the polymers produces chiral nematic and cholesteric phases, which are regulated by photoisomerization of the azobenzene units [10,14]. In most cases, however, the optical activity and chiroptical... 

The first pair of polymers (Figure 13.1) studied in our laboratory were the polyacrylate (pDRlA) and the polymethacrylate (pDRlM) derived from Disperse Red 1. Their glass transition temperatures were 91° and 129°C, respectively. Disperse Red 1 and the polymers derived from it have a maximum absorbance at about 480 nm. The actual maximum wavelength depends on the conditions, such as in film or in solution, and on the possibility of association of the chromophores. This absorbance is associated with the 7t - 7t transition of the trans azobenzene isomer. A thin film of one of the polymers can be subjected to laser irradiation (either 488 or 514 nm are close enough to the... 

Tarasenko, V., Nadtoka, O., Syromyatnikov, V. Synthesis of azobenzene-containing polymers based on polymethacrylic acid and their photooptical properties studies. Fr.-Ukr. J. Chem. 1(1), 89-93 (2013)... 

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