Novel Polymers to Study the Influence of the Azobenzene Content on the Photo‐Induced Surface Relief Grating Formation

Summary: The influence of the azobenzene concentration on the photo‐induced surface relief grating (SRG) formation in polymer films was investigated. Two series of polymers with 4‐alkoxy‐4′‐cyanoazobenzene side groups were synthesized. In series A, the degree of substitution was varied, while in series B, azobenzene and biphenyl groups were introduced in varying composition, but the concentration of non‐reacted HEMA‐groups was kept constant. Photo‐induction of the dichroism and the SRG was studied as function of the azobenzene concentration. An optimum was found for the SRG formation (76%), while the highest dichroism was induced at the lowest azobenzene concentration of 20%. The restriction of rotational and translational molecular motions observed at higher azobenzene concentration was explained by π‐π stacking of the azobenzene moieties and interaction of unreacted HEMA groups.

AFM topography image of surface relief grating in polymer B‐76.     

NLO Behavior of Polymers Containing Y‐Shaped Chromophores

New polyurethanes containing Y‐shaped chromophores, symmetrical derivatives of 4‐(dicyanomethylene)‐2‐methyl‐6‐[p‐(dimethylamino)styryl]‐4H‐pyran, have been prepared. The polymers show high glass transition temperatures (T_g) and a good thermal stability. SHG measurements on poled polymer films of the synthesized polymers have been carried out and a maximum d₃₃ of 15 pm · V^?1 has been found at 1 368 nm fundamental wavelength. Time stability measurements on the most active polymer have shown that after the initial fast relaxation, the d₃₃ value remains constant at 80 °C for 60 d.

     

Oxidative Coupling Copolymerization of 4‐Methyltriphenylamine with Arenes

A novel synthetic method for the preparation of high‐molecular‐weight conjugated polymers is presented. It consists of the oxidation copolymerization of different arenes with triphenylamine. The structure of the copolymers was characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra. The copolymers have good solubility in common organic solvents and are thermally stable. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra (see Figure) showed that the color of emission depends on the type of arene units in the copolymer chain. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements revealed electrochemical activity of the copolymers.

PL spectra of the copolymers.     

Photodeformable Polymers: A New Kind of Promising Smart Material for Micro‐ and Nano‐Applications

Summary: Starting in the 1960s, several kinds of photodeformable polymers have been developed, such as monolayers, polymer gels, solid films and liquid‐crystalline elastomers with different photodeformation mechanisms. This field evolved slowly until recently when significant achievements have been made. Most recently, Lendlein and co‐workers have put forward another new concept – using photo‐crosslinking to prepare deformable polymers with various pre‐determined shapes (Nature 2005 , 434, 879). This highlight gives a general introduction into photodeformable polymers and brings forth future challenges.

A polymer film doped with SCAA molecules where (a) is the permanent shape, (b) is the temporary shape and (c) is the recovered shape.     

Liquid‐Crystalline Colloidal Particles

Summary: Here we report about the synthesis of colloidal particles of nematic and smectic liquid‐crystalline polymers. For this purpose mesogen‐containing acrylate monomers were synthesized and polymerized in a special modification of a precipitation polymerization called dispersion polymerization. By variation of the polymerization conditions colloidal particles of different size and polydispersity could be obtained including very narrowly distributed samples in optimized batches. On azobenzene‐containing colloidal particles switching experiments with polarized light were performed. It could be observed that the nematic director of the mesogens within the colloidal particles can be rotated due to the photochemical trans‐cis‐isomerization of the azobenzene chromophores.

Microscope images of a monolayer of P3‐9 .     

Light‐Tunable Thermosensitivity of Polymer‐Coated Gold Nanoparticles Achieved by Light‐Controlled Molecular Recognition

Thermo‐ and photosensitive gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) coated with an azobenzene‐contained P(DMA‐PAPA‐MAEL) copolymer are prepared by ligand exchange reactions. The photoisomerization of azobenzene moiety on the surface of P(DMA‐PAPA‐MAEL)‐coated AuNPs is detected by means of UV‐Vis spectroscopy with the presence or absence of free α‐cyclodextrin. When subjected to visible and UV light irradiation alternately, P(DMA‐PAPA‐MAEL)‐coated AuNPs in the presence of free α‐CD display a light‐tunable lower critical solution temperature through light‐controlled molecular recognition between the azobenzene moiety on the surface of AuNPs and free α‐CD.

     

Characterization of Water‐Dispersible n‐Type Poly(benzimidazobenzophenanthroline) Derivatives

Novel water dispersible poly(benzimidazobenzophenanthroline) polymers functionalized with poly(ethylene oxide) (BBL:PEO) have been investigated by cyclic voltammetry, in situ UV‐vis spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. The cyclic voltammograms recorded during n‐doping indicate that the drop coated BBL:PEO films retain their properties despite functionalization. A small influence of the PEO side chains on redox properties of the investigated polymers was found, diminishing however after annealing. During spectroscopic experiments structural changes connected with polymer charging were observed (in accordance with a two electron transfer process). The functionalization of BBL with PEO side chains provided an easy processing method to obtain smooth and reproducible polymer films.

     

Photoresponsive New Polysiloxanes with 4‐Substituted Azobenzene Side‐Groups. Synthesis,Characterization and Kinetics of the Reversible Trans‐Cis‐Trans Isomerization

New polydimethylsiloxanes with p‐substituted azobenzene side‐groups were synthesized. Thin films and solutions exhibit a photochemical trans‐cis isomerization of the azobenzene groups, followed by their cis‐trans thermal relaxation in the dark. In films, relaxation rates were found to be 100–1 000 times slower than the rates of photoisomerization, the former being very sensitive to the electron‐acceptor character of the substituents. in solution, the rates of cis‐trans relaxation are lower than those obtained for the solid state. This is ascribed to the dipolar intramolecular interactions between cis chromophores, which are favored in solution.

     

Synthesis of Laser‐Alignable Liquid Crystalline Conducting Polymers

Summary: The synthetic routes to three series of liquid crystal conducting polymers (based on pyrrole, thiophene, and aniline monomers) are reported and the optimum conditions for polymer preparation are described. These polymers show increased conductivity when laser‐aligned, the greatest effect being shown by the N‐substituted pyrrole‐based system. Information on their liquid crystal and spectroscopic properties and other characteristics are also included.

Structure of the monomers M1, M2, and M3.     

Selective Dimerization of γ‐Branched α‐Olefins in the Presence of C2v Group‐4 Metallocene‐Based Catalysts

Summary: The oligomerization of γ‐branched α‐olefins in the presence of catalytic systems based on group‐4 metallocenes with C_2v symmetry has been investigated. The highest reactivity was obtained by using dimethylsilyl‐bis(cyclopentadienyl)zirconium‐dichloride activated by methylaluminoxane. Highly regioregular dimers were selectively obtained for hindered γ‐branched monomers, while the less hindered ones produced higher molecular weight oligomers. A molecular modeling approach was used to rationalize the experimental results. In fact, a decrease in the β‐hydrogen elimination barrier and an increase in the insertion barrier with the monomer bulkiness were calculated.

General structure of the obtained dimers.     

Reversible Photo‐Mechanical Switching Behavior of Azobenzene‐Containing Semi‐Interpenetrating Network under UV and Visible Light Irradiation

Summary: Light‐induced reversible changes in elasticity of semi‐interpenetrating network (semi‐IPN) films bearing azobenzene moieties were achieved under both ultraviolet (UV) and visible light irradiation. The semi‐IPN film was prepared by a cationic copolymerization of azobenzene‐containing vinyl ethers in a linear polycarbonate (PC) film as a matrix. When the irradiation was switched on and off, the semi‐IPN film showed rapid reversible deformation with the same behavior occurring over a range of wavelengths, including both the UV and visible regions. The observed reversible deformation of the film was attributed to the decrease in the film's elasticity, which was assumed to be caused by the frequent trans‐cis cycling isomerization of azobenzene moieties taking place during the UV and visible light irradiation. This cycling makes it difficult for the azobenzene groups to aggregate, thus hindering their ability to function as pseudo‐crosslinking points.

     

Versatile Synthesis of Soluble Multifunctional Thiophene Copolymers with NLO Activity

Functionalized second‐order nonlinear optical (NLO) thiophene copolymers were synthesized. Two elegant syntheses based on the post‐functionalization of polymeric precursors obtained by oxidative polymerization were developed, leading to copolymers that proved to be fully soluble in common organic solvents. The new materials were characterized by NMR, FT‐IR, and UV‐vis spectroscopies, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Moreover, the NLO activity of the new materials, as determined by corona poling alignment and second harmonic generation (SHG) measurements, showed a good agreement between the second‐order NLO coefficient and the chromophore concentration.

Three‐dimensional optimization of the chromophore thiophene‐functionalized comonomer.     

Spectroelectrochemical and Photovoltaic Characterization of a Solution‐Processable n‐and‐p Type Dopable Pyrrole‐Bearing Conjugated Polymer

D‐A‐D‐type polymers are of high interest in the field of photovoltaics and electrochromism. In this study we report the synthesis and electrochemical properties of PPyBT along with its photophysical properties and photovoltaic performance. PPyBT is soluble in common organic solvents and both n‐ and p‐type dopable, which is a desired property for conjugated polymers. During electrochemistry studies, the onset potentials of the polymer were determined as +0.2 V for oxidation and ?1.4 V for reduction. Using these values, HOMO and LUMO energy levels were calculated. The photovoltaic properties of PPyBT were also studied. PL studies showed that there is a charge transfer between PPyBT (donor) and PCBM (acceptor).

     

Synthesis of Optically Active Photoresponsive Multifunctional Polymer Containing the Side‐Chain Azocarbazole Chromophore

Summary: A new optically active photochromic polymethacrylate containing the carbazole moiety, deriving from the chiral monomer (S)‐(4‐cyanophenyl)‐(3‐{9‐[2‐(2‐methacryloyloxypropanoyloxy)ethyl]carbazolyl})diazene [(S)‐ MLECA ] has been prepared and fully characterized with the aim to obtain a multifunctional derivative possessing at the same time chemical moieties suitable to NLO and optical storage, to chiroptical switches, and to photorefractive and photoconductive applications. Spectroscopic, thermal and chiroptical characterizations clearly indicate the occurrence of dipolar interactions between chromophores and the presence of an ordered chiral conformation of one prevailing helical handedness, at least for chain segments of the macromolecules.

Structure of poly[(S)‐ MLECA ].     

Cholesteric Liquid‐Crystalline Side‐on Polysiloxanes: Effects of Biaxiality on the Cholesteric Structure

Summary: Biaxial side‐on cholesteric copolysiloxanes with laterally attached mesogenic groups were investigated in mixtures with a low molar mass liquid crystal. While mixtures with a low concentration of the polymer exhibit the conventional fingerprint texture, for concentrations above about 60 mol‐% characteristic irregularities appear in the cholesteric structure that are obviously due to phase biaxiality. Besides the absence of pseudo‐isotropic lines, irregular patterns perpendicular to the helix axis emerge and the periodic distance of regions with similar optical properties along the helix axis is strongly disturbed. This suggests that the photonic band gap width of a uniaxial cholesteric phase becomes strongly affected when a phase transformation into a biaxial cholesteric phase occurs.

Cholesteric fingerprint texture of a mixture of uniaxial nematic monomer and biaxial cholesteric polymer.     

The Photoinduced Birefringence in Thick Films of Chiral Azodye Copolymers

The photoinduced birefringence, Δn_ind, in 19–35 μm thick films has been studied for two series of chiral photochromic liquid crystalline side chain copolymers. The birefringence measured is induced by excitation of the n‐π* band only. The Δn_ind value induced in 10 min is linear upon concentration of dye moieties but achieves saturation with increase of illumination intensity. Evolution of the birefringence can be described by double exponent growth; the faster exponent is the same for both copolymer series and should relate to the photoselection process, while the slower one should relate mainly to photo‐orientation and differs strongly dependent on chemical structure of photochromic groups. The different behaviour of two copolymer series during the growth governed by the second exponent is interpreted in terms of the “frictional model”. Due to elevated thickness of the films, rather moderate Δn_ind values result in huge phase retardation up to 270° and more. The materials are promising therefore for holography applications.

Chemical structure of the synthesised chiral photochromic copolymers.     

In situ Self‐Assembly of Zigzag Polyimide Chains to Crystalline Branched Supramolecular Structures with High Surface Area

Crystalline‐branched supramolecular structures (CBSSs) with surface area (Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller model) up to 350 m² · g^?1 were synthesized by in situ self‐assembly of the zigzag polyimide macromolecules under solvent‐thermal condition. The pore formation mechanism in these polyimides was supposed to be different from any microporous polymers ever reported. Although this family of porous polyimide does not belong to covalent organic frameworks (COFs), their high degree of crystallinity shows the possibilities that the dynamic covalent chemistry for synthesizing COFs could be extended from easily hydrolyzable B? O bond to a more stable imido bond. Therefore, we believe that these CBSSs could be useful in many applications, e.g., catalyst carriers and low‐K materials.

     

Functional Thin Polymer Films at High Pressure

Summary: A new thin‐film characterization setup was created based on the combination of a surface plasmon spectrometer with an electrochemical cell operated under high pressure of up to 200 MPa and at temperatures up to 120 °C. The examples given to document its performance include photoisomerization studies with poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) films partly derivatized with disperse red (DR1), as well as, a preliminary account of the electropolymerization of EDOT under pressure and the assessment of the redox properties of the resulting thin PEDOT films.

Sketch of the high‐pressure electrochemistry surface plasmon cell.