Azobenzene Functionalized "T-Type" Poly(Amide Imide)s vs. Guest-Host Systems-A Comparative Study of Structure-Property Relations.

Karolina Bujak,Jolanta Konieczkowska,Ewa Schab-Balcerzak,Anna Kozanecka-Szmigiel

doi:10.3390/ma13081912

Abstract

This paper describes the synthesis and characterization of new “T-type” azo poly(amide imide)s as well as guest-host systems based on the “T-type” matrices. The matrices possessed pyridine rings in a main-chain and azobenzene moieties located either between the amide or imide groups. The non-covalent polymers contained the molecularly dispersed 4-phenylazophenol or 4-[(4-methyl phenyl)diazinyl]phenol chromophores that are capable of forming intermolecular hydrogen bonds with the pyridine rings. The FTIR spectroscopy and the measurements of the thermal, optical and photoinduced optical birefringence were employed for the determination of the influence of H-bonds and the specific elements of polymer architecture on physicochemical properties. Moreover, the obtained results were compared to those described in our previous works to formulate structure-property relations that may be considered general for the class of “T-type” azo poly(amide imide)s.

Highlights

One of the fastest-growing fields of technologies is photonics and optoelectronics
We proved that poly(amide imide)s containing covalently bonded azobenzene azobenzene between imide rings (PAI-5 and PAI-6) and without side azo groups readily formed the between imide rings (PAI-5 and PAI-6) and without side azo groups readily formed the intermolecular intermolecular hydrogen bonds between amide linkages [34,36]
Our results showed the increase of Tg for functionalized polyimides with pyridine rings in comparison to analogues with phenyl rings

Summary

Introduction

The growing interest in photonic processes has become the propelling force of research into new materials that may be applied for information storage, as optical elements, controlled optical and photo-optical media, as light couplers in planar waveguides, liquid-crystal layering in liquid crystal displays, etc. One of the most attractive materials for photonics applications are azo polymers i.e., macromolecules containing chromophores being derivatives of azobenzene or azo pyridine [15,16]. Polymeric materials can be adapted to meet specific applications, due to their advantages such as flexibility, ease of processing, low dielectric constant and their stability at a set temperature [17]. All potential applications of azo polymers result from light-stimuli properties. The irradiation of azo polymers with linearly polarized light forces multiple cycles of trans-cis-trans isomerization of azobenzene molecules, which is preceded by selective absorption events.

Methods

Results

Conclusion