Abstract
A new type of photosensitive poly(ɛ-caprolactone) (PCL) composites containing 4-dimethylamino-4′-(6-hydroxy hexyloxy) azobenzene (Azo) was synthesized by in situ ring-opening polymerization of ɛ-caprolactone in the presence of different Azo amounts. The PCL-Azo composites were characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and UV–vis spectroscopy. Honeycomb-patterned porous polymer films were fabricated by casting the polymer solution under humid conditions: and for comparison, flat films were also prepared by drying the polymer solution at ambient conditions. Water contact angle was compared between porous and flat films, and was reversely changed by UV and visible light illuminations. The contact angle of PCL-Azo composite films was decreased by UV illumination and was recovered with visible light illumination both on the patterned and flat films. Reversibility in contact angles by UV and visible light can be interpreted by photo-switched isomerization of the Azo component in the polymer composite films due to isomeric structural changes between trans and cis isomers inducing the changes in dipole moment of the films.
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