Abstract
Here, we report our studies on photoresponsive poly(meth)acrylates containing azobenzene groups connected to a polymer backbone via a short methylene linker. A series of side-chain azobenzene polymers was synthesized via the atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) technique using several catalytic systems. The polymers synthesized under the optimized conditions were characterized by a narrow polydispersity (Đ ≤ 1.35), and they underwent a reversible transformation of their structure under light illumination. The fabricated polymers can store and release energy accumulated during the UV-light illumination by the thermal cis-trans isomerization of the chromophore groups. The enthalpy of the process (determined from DSC) was relatively high and equaled 61.9 J∙g−1 (17 Wh∙kg−1), indicating a high potential of these materials in energy storage applications. The liquid-crystalline behavior of the synthesized poly(meth)acrylates was demonstrated by the birefringent optical textures as observed in thin-films and X-ray scattering studies.
Highlights
Stimuli-responsive polymers belong to the group of smart materials that can adapt to surrounding conditions via a proper response to the stimulus [1]
NMR spectroscopy allowed us to explore the isomerization of the synthesized polymers quantitatively
We reported the liquid-crystalline behavior of side-chain poly(meth)acrylates containing azobenzene groups connected with polymer chain via a short methylene linker for the first time
Summary
Stimuli-responsive polymers belong to the group of smart materials that can adapt to surrounding conditions via a proper response to the stimulus [1]. Such stimuli-responsive polymeric materials change their properties drastically on receiving an external stimulus, for instance, the alteration of temperature, pH, treatment of solvent, or irradiation. The PRPs containing photochromic units undergo a reversible isomerization upon irradiation. As a result of the isomerization, the material properties, including polarity and absorption spectra, can be tuned reversibly. PRPs with azobenzenes (AZs) as photochromic units are one of the most intensively studied. AZs undergo a reversible trans- to cis-isomerization of a double bond between nitrogen atoms (–N=N–) upon light irradiation.
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