Synthesis, characterization, and photoinduced deformation properties of a series of azobenzene-containing poly(arylene ether)s

Abstract

The photoinduced deformation properties in azobenzene-containing polymers can convert light energy into mechanical energy. At present, there are few types of photoinduced deformable polymers based on azobenzene-containing high performance polymers, and new types of high performance azobenzene-containing polymers need to be developed. Here, a series of azobenzene-containing poly (arylene ether)s with various azobenzene contents were synthesized. These azobenzene-containing polymers showed high glass transition temperatures and high thermal stabilities. The photoisomerization behavior and the photoinduced deformation behavior of these azobenzene-containing polymers were studied upon exposure to a 442 nm linearly polarized laser and a 532 nm linearly polarized laser, respectively. Both of the photodeformation rate and the maximum photoinduced bending angles of the polymers increased with increasing azobenzene content. To our knowledge, it is the first report on photoinduced deformation properties of azobenzene-containing poly (arylene ether)s. In addition, the photoinduced bending rate and maximum photoinduced bending angle of the cantilever under 442 nm laser excitation were higher and larger than that under 532 nm laser excitation, respectively.