Abstract
Abstract Azobenzene (1,2-diphenyldiazene in IUPAC name) is a widely studied, simple, rodlike photochromic molecule. The trans- (E) to cis- (Z) photoisomerization of this molecule was discovered a long time ago (nearly 90 yr). Nevertheless, the allure and utility of this molecule never faded and it has not surrendered a leading position among many other organic photochromic molecules. New applications for photoswitching molecular and macromolecular systems are still being proposed extensively. By linking the azobenzene molecule to liquid crystals (LCs) and polymer systems, a number of fascinating motility functions have been newly realized. This article overviews our research activities using azobenzene-containing monolayers and LC polymer films. The topics range across surface photoalignment of LCs, both from solid surface and free surface; photoalignment of hierarchical structures such as mesohybrids and block copolymers; photomechanical motions and morphological switching in block copolymer monolayers; high-density brushes of azobenzene side chain LC polymers (SCLCPs); photo-triggered mass migrations in azobenzene SCLCP films; and polymer motions via Marangoni flow, etc. Demonstrations of these dynamic photofunctions are expected to provide great opportunities for practical smart applications.
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