Thermal and light control of the chiral order of azopolymers

The control of the chiroptical properties of two azopolymers, which contain chiral terminal alkyl chains, by means of thermal and light irradiation processes has been studied. Both UV–vis and CD spectra of films and dichloromethane (DCM)/hexane solutions of the polymers have been registered and analyzed before and after different irradiation conditions: 488 nm circularly polarized light (CPL) and 365 nm unpolarized light. The chiroptical properties of the polymer containing chiral 1-methylheptyloxy terminal chains depended on the thermal history of the sample. As a result, the photocontrol of the chiral response in the bulk material by CPL irradiation has been evaluated on samples cooled from the isotropic state to room temperature at different rates. The chiroptical properties of these azopolymers show an intriguing combination of control from both the supramolecular and molecular chirality level as well as the thermal history of the sample and CPL irradiation.     

Photoinduced chirality in achiral liquid crystalline azobenzene polymers containing different polar side groups

Circular dichroism (CD) was induced in the films of two achiral liquid crystalline polymers, poly[(4′-(6-(methacryloyloxy)hexyl)oxy)-(4-X)azobenzene] (PM6X, X = C and N for cyano and nitro, respectively), by irradiation with one handed circularly polarized light (CPL) at 442 nm. The CD and UV spectra of the polymeric films suggest that left-CPL induces a left helical structure and right-CPL reverses the resulting structure into a right helix. For PM6C, the photoinduced CD values of the nematic film are much higher than in the casting and isotropic film. The photoinduced chirality of PM6C films is higher than PM6N due to a higher polarity of nitro groups in PM6N. The PM6N’s CD intensity around 450 nm is increased with the irradiation time of linearly polarized light (LPL) followed by left-CPL irradiation. The correlation between azobenzene chromophores and circularly polarized light will be discussed in the paper.     

Photoinduced chirality in achiral liquid crystalline polymethacrylates containing bisazobenzene and azobenzene chromophores

One new liquid crystalline polymer containing bisazobenzene, poly[4-{(2-methacryloyloxyethyl)oxy}-4′-(4-nitrophenylazo)azobenzene] (PM2BAN), and two liquid crystalline polymers containing azobenzenes with spacers of two and six methylene units, poly[(4-(4′-nitrophenylazo)phenyloxy)x-methylene methacrylate] (PMxAN, x = 2, 6), were synthesized and characterized. The level and rate of photoinduced chirality were studied in films of the achiral polymers by irradiation with one handed circularly polarized light (CPL) at 442 nm. The results of circular dichroism (CD) suggest that left-CPL induces left helical arrangements of the polymers and right-CPL reverses the resulting arrangements into right helices. Photoinduced chirality in film of PM2BAN is increased with the increase of irradiation time. However, the level and rate of photoinduced chirality in film of PM2BAN are lower than those in films of PMxAN (x = 2, 6) at similar irradiation time. Compared with PM2AN, photoinduced CD values are higher in PM6AN. The results are discussed in terms of interactions between azobenzene chromophores and circularly polarized light.     

Effect of swift heavy ion irradiation on the physical properties of CuIn(S0.4Se0.6)2 alloy thin films prepared by solution growth technique

Alloy thin films of CuIn(S_0.4Se_0.6)₂ material were deposited using the solution growth technique. The various deposition parameters such as pH of solution, time, concentration of ions and temperature have been optimized for the device grade thin films. The as-deposited films were annealed in a rapid thermal annealing (RTA) system at 450 °C in air for 5 min and subjected to high-energy Ag ion irradiations. Ag ion irradiation has been performed with an energy of 100 MeV at a fluency of 5×10¹² ions/cm² on the thin film. The changes in optical and electrical properties that occurred before and after post-deposition treatments in CuIn(S_0.4Se_0.6)₂ thin films were studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and AFM; increase in crystallinity was observed after annealing and irradiation. In addition, structural damages were observed in irradiated thin films. After annealing and irradiation, the surface roughness was seen to be increased. Decrease in resistivity was observed, which is consistent with the optical energy band gap. The results are explained by considering the high energy deposited due to the electronic energy loss upon irradiation, which modified the properties of the material.     

Photoinduced chirality in azobenzene-containing polymer systems

In this article, we will review the phenomena on circularly-polarized-light (CPL)-induced chirality in polymeric systems with photochromophores in their side-chain or main-chain. In the side-chain polymeric systems, the photoinduced chirality arises from superstructural chirality, i.e., helix structure, via aggregating of achiral azobenzene molecules in side chains. On the other hand, in the main-chain polymeric system, the macroscopically induced chirality can originate from individual chirality of chromophores in their main-chain backbone. The CPL irradiation on polymeric films with photochromophores to produce macroscopic chirality has been realized as potentially useful in the development of optical-switching, optical-storage, and light-driven devices.     

Synthesis of Optically Active,X‐Shaped,Conjugated Compounds and Dendrimers Based on Planar Chiral [2.2]Paracyclophane,Leading to Highly Emissive Circularly Polarized Luminescence

Optically active, Fréchet‐type dendrimers containing an emissive X‐shaped π‐electron system as the core unit were synthesized. Gram‐scale optical resolution and transformations of 4,7,12,15‐tetrasubstituted [2.2]paracyclophanes were also carried out. The high‐generation dendrons effectively absorbed UV light and transferred energy to the core, resulting in high photoluminescence (PL) from the core. In addition, the dendrons sufficiently isolated the emissive X‐shaped conjugated core and bright emission was observed from both thin films and solutions. Intense circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) was observed from the thin film. The dendrimer films exhibited excellent optical properties, such as large molar extinction coefficients, high fluorescence quantum efficiencies, intense PL and CPL, and large CPL dissymmetry factors.     

Optical properties of thermally evaporated 4-(4-nitrobenzalideneamino) antipyrine Schiff base thin films

4-(4-nitrobenzalideneamino) antipyrine (NBAA) have been synthesized by refluxed ethanolic solution of 4-aminoantipyrine and p-nitrobenzaldehyde for 4 h and characterized with various physico-chemical techniques. Thin films of NBAA have been prepared by the thermal deposition technique in a vacuum of 1.5 × 10⁻⁵ mbar onto optical flat glass substrates. X-ray diffraction patterns show amorphous nature for all NBAA thin films except UV irradiated thin film which shows amorphous nature with some crystallinity but with small amount. The optical constants of thermally deposited NBAA thin film were investigated in the wavelength range 200–2500 nm. The type of optical transition near the edge of the band gap is found to be indirect allowed transition. The effect of UV irradiation as well as the effect of annealing on the optical properties of NBAA thin films was investigated. The value of the energy gap for thin films under investigation is calculated and found to be 1.56 eV for as-deposited, 1.45 eV for annealed and 1.82 eV for UV irradiation.     

Supramolecular chirality and reversible chiroptical switching in new chiral liquid-crystal azopolymers

The synthesis of chiral liquid-crystalline polymers of well-controlled structure (linear and three-armed star-shaped) with distinct average chain lengths and low polydispersity was achieved by atom transfer radical polymerisation (ATRP) of a new optically active monomer (S)-4-[6-(2-methacryloyloxypropanoyloxy)hexyloxy)]-4'-ethoxyazobenzene [(S)-ML6A], containing the L-lactic residue of one absolute configuration in the side-chain. All the obtained polymeric samples, characterised by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and polarised optical microscopy (POM), exhibit a smectic A(1/2) (fully interdigitated) liquid-crystalline phase and high cleaning points, with transition temperatures dependent on the average polymerisation degree and the macromolecular structure. The chirality originated at the molecular level by the asymmetric functionality of the L-lactic acid residue provides the polymers, in the smectic phase, of highly homogeneous conformations with a prevailing chirality related to the presence of H-aggregates having conformational dissymmetry of one prevailing screw-sense. By irradiating with circularly polarised light (CPL), it is possible to photomodulate the chiroptical properties of these intrinsically chiral polymeric thin films. Upon irradiation with left-handed CPL (l-CPL), the circular dichroism (CD) spectra of the films show enhancement of ellipticity and a net inversion of sign. The effect is reversible and the mirror image of the CD spectrum can be restored by pumping with right-handed CPL radiation (r-CPL). The results show the ability of l-CPL to invert the supramolecular chirality of the materials and demonstrate the essential role of azoaromatic aggregates.     

Three‐Way‐Switchable (Right/Left/OFF) Selective Reflection of Circularly Polarized Light on Solid Thin Films of Helical Polymer Blends

Two poly(quinoxaline‐2,3‐diyl) copolymers bearing miscibility‐enhancing 8‐chlorooctyloxy and (S)‐2‐methylbutoxy or n‐butoxy side chains were synthesized. After annealing in CHCl₃ vapor, a polymer‐blend film of these copolymers exhibited selective reflection of right‐handed circularly polarized light (CPL) in the visible region. The handedness of the CPL reflected was completely inverted upon annealing of the film in THF vapor. Annealing in n‐hexane vapor resulted in the phase separation of the polymer blend, which turned the selective reflection off. This three‐way‐switchable reflection, that is, reflection of right‐handed or left‐handed CPL, together with an OFF state, could be observed visually through right‐ and left‐handed CPL filters.     

A Photo- and Thermo-Driven Azoarene-Based Circularly Polarized Luminescence Molecular Switch in a Liquid Crystal Host

The development of chiral optical active materials with switchable circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) signals remains a challenge. Here an azoarene-based circularly polarized luminescence molecular switch, (S, R, S)-switch 1 and (R, R, R)-switch 2 , are designed and prepared with an (R)-binaphthyl azo group as a chiral photosensitive moiety and two (S)- or (R)-binaphthyl fluorescent molecules with opposite or the same handedness as chiral fluorescent moieties. Both switches exhibit reversible trans/cis isomerization when irradiated by 365 nm UV light and 520 nm green light in solvent and liquid crystal (LC) media. In contrast with the control (R, R, R)-switch 2 , when switch 1 is doped into nematic LCs, polarization inversion and switching-off of the CPL signals are achieved in the resultant helical superstructure upon irradiation with 365 nm UV and 520 nm green light, respectively. Meanwhile, the fluorescence intensity of the system is basically unchanged during this switching process. In particular, these variations of the CPL signals could be recovered after heating, realizing the true sense of CPL reversible switching. Taking advantage of the unique CPL switching, the proof-of-concept for “a dual-optical information encryption system” based on the above CPL active material is demonstrated.     

Orientational phenomena in comb-shaped liquid crystal polymers induced by laser beam irradiation

Action of the laser illumination on optical properties of liquid crystalline (LC) comb-shaped acrylic and methacrylic copolymers containing cyanobiphenyl mesogenic groups and azo dye fragments has been studied. Under an illumination the cis-trans configurational changes of dye fragments take place and reorientation of the side groups towards a direction perpendicular to the electric vector of the actinic light occurs. As a result the photoinduced optical birefringence (δn = 0.05-0.11) appears. The detailed study of dichrotic and optical properties of polymeric films, kinetics and relaxation of δn, as well as mechanism of orientational transformations during a laser illumination are discussed. The induced optical anisotropy of the films can be changed reversibly by rotating the electric vector of the laser beam in respect to the film that may be used in reversible optical data storage.     

Molecular chirality induction to an achiral π-conjugated polymer by circularly polarized light

A preferred-handed helical conformation was induced to poly(9,9-dioctylfluoren-2,7-diyl) (PDOF) in a thin film form upon irradiation with single-handed circularly polarized light (CPL) where the induction was reversible.     

Crystallization-Driven Asymmetric Helical Assembly of Conjugated Block Copolymers and the Aggregation Induced White-light Emission and Circularly Polarized Luminescence

Controlling the self-assembly morphology of π-conjugated block copolymer is of great interesting. Herein, amphiphilic poly(3-hexylthiophene)-block-poly(phenyl isocyanide)s (P3HT-b-PPI) copolymers composed of π-conjugated P3HT and optically active helical PPI segments were readily prepared. Taking advantage of the crystallizable nature of P3HT and the chirality of the helical PPI segment, crystallization-driven asymmetric self-assembly (CDASA) of the block copolymers lead to the formation of single-handed helical nanofibers with controlled length, narrow dispersity, and well-defined helicity. During the self-assembly process, the chirality of helical PPI was transferred to the supramolecular assemblies, giving the helical assemblies large optical activity. The single-handed helical assemblies of the block copolymers exhibited interesting white-light emission and circularly polarized luminescence (CPL). The handedness and dissymmetric factor of the induced CPL can be finely tuned through the variation on the helicity and length of the helical nanofibers.     

Photochromic copolymers containing 3-indolylfulgides/indolylfulgimides: Synthesis and photochemical properties in toluene and as films

Photochromic indolylfulgimides covalently attached to polymers have beneficial properties for optical switching. A 3-indolylfulgide and two 3-indolylfulgimides with one or two polymerizable styrene groups attached on the nitrogen atom(s) were synthesized. Copolymerization with methyl methacrylate (MMA) provided linear copolymers (one styrene group) or a cross-linked copolymer (two styrene groups). The properties of the monomers and copolymers in toluene or as thin films were characterized. The new copolymers were photochromic (reversible Z-to-C isomerization), absorbed visible light, and revealed good thermal and photochemical stability. At room temperature, all copolymer films showed no loss of absorbance after 5 weeks. At 80 °C in either toluene or as films, the Z-forms copolymers were less stable than the C-form copolymers, which showed little or no degradation after 400 h. The degradation rate due to repeated ring-closing – ring opening cycles was less than 3% per 100 cycles. The cross-linked copolymer showed photochemical stability comparable to monomeric fulgides in toluene, <1% per 100 cycles. In general, the properties of the linear and cross-linked copolymers were similar to the corresponding monomers in toluene. In films, the conformations of the Z-form were restricted due to the matrix indicating that the preparation of films from the C-form is advantageous.     

Synthesis and photoresponsive behavior of azobenzene-functionalized polythiophene films

In this paper, two kinds of azobenzene-functionalized polythiophene liquid-crystalline (LC) polymers with different spacer lengths (n = 6 and 11) were synthesized. The photochromic behaviors and photoresponsive property of these polymer films were investigated by means of spectrofluorophotometer, polarized optical microscope and ARC UV lamp. The results have shown that these liquid-crystalline polythiophene films exhibit a quite fast photochemical phase transition speed and a better opticalswitching property. Furthermore, the existence of the azobenzene moiety in the side chain has also rendered the polythiophene some interesting optical properties that can be modulated by UV light irradiation, e.g., the intensity of photoluminescent emission associated with the conjugated polythiophene main chain was found to decrease upon UV irradiation and the effect becomes more prominent when shorter spacers are used in between the azobenzene group and the main chain.     

Enantioselective synthesis of near enantiopure compound by asymmetric autocatalysis triggered by asymmetric photolysis with circularly polarized light

Right- and left-handed circularly polarized light (CPL) has been proposed as one of the origins of homochirality of biomolecules. However, the enantiomeric excess induced by CPL has been only very low (<2% ee). We found the unprecedented example of asymmetric autocatalysis triggered directly by a chiral physical factor, that is, right- and left-handed CPL, leading to a near enantiopure compound. Asymmetric photolysis of racemic pyrimidyl alkanol by r-CPL irradiation followed by asymmetric autocatalysis affords (R)-pyrimidyl alkanol with >99.5% ee. On the other hand, irradiation with l-CPL affords (S)-pyrimidyl alkanol with >99.5% ee. Thus, chiral physical power, such as CPL, in conjunction with asymmetric autocatalysis, provides a highly enantioenriched compound.     

Crystallization‐Driven Asymmetric Helical Assembly of Conjugated Block Copolymers and the Aggregation Induced White‐light Emission and Circularly Polarized Luminescence

Controlling the self‐assembly morphology of π‐conjugated block copolymer is of great interesting. Herein, amphiphilic poly(3‐hexylthiophene)‐block‐poly(phenyl isocyanide)s (P3HT‐b‐PPI) copolymers composed of π‐conjugated P3HT and optically active helical PPI segments were readily prepared. Taking advantage of the crystallizable nature of P3HT and the chirality of the helical PPI segment, crystallization‐driven asymmetric self‐assembly (CDASA) of the block copolymers lead to the formation of single‐handed helical nanofibers with controlled length, narrow dispersity, and well‐defined helicity. During the self‐assembly process, the chirality of helical PPI was transferred to the supramolecular assemblies, giving the helical assemblies large optical activity. The single‐handed helical assemblies of the block copolymers exhibited interesting white‐light emission and circularly polarized luminescence (CPL). The handedness and dissymmetric factor of the induced CPL can be finely tuned through the variation on the helicity and length of the helical nanofibers.     

Reversible Photoinduced Switching of Permeability in a Cast Non‐Porous Film Comprising Azobenzene Liquid Crystalline Polymer

Permeation characteristics of an azobenzene‐containing liquid crystalline (LC) non‐porous film are investigated using a metallic corrosion method. Thin films (300 nm) are fabricated by the solution casting of an azobenzene side‐chain LC polymer on freshly polished carbon steel coupons. Coated coupons are treated under the following conditions: a) gradual annealing at a cooling rate lower than 1 °C · min⁻¹ from 150 °C (above its T_g) to room temperature, and b) irradiation at 465 nm (20 mW · cm⁻²) with either circularly polarized light (CPL) or non‐polarized light (NPL). The morphology of these films is characterized using X‐ray diffraction, polarized optical microscopy, and transmission measurements. The results suggest that the annealing treatment resulted in the formation of a polydomain structure consisting of locally ordered small smectic domains that lack mutual orientation. Ordered micro domains are surrounded by disordered phases. CPL and NPL irradiation generates a monodomain orientated structure and an isotropic liquid crystal glass, respectively. The permeability of these non‐porous films treated by CPL, NPL, and annealing are found to be 6.14 × 10⁻⁴, 1.92 × 10⁻², and 1.56 × 10⁻³ cm³ · m⁻² · d⁻¹. An orientation‐dependent structure model is constructed to explain the permeation phenomenon, considering the ordered phase is impermeable, only the disordered phase is accessible to penetrating molecules. Fast switching of gas permeation is demonstrated by alternative irradiation of the film with CPL and NPL, which results in an approximately 30‐fold difference in the permeability of the non‐porous film.

     

Preparation, characterization and hydrolytic degradation of poly[p-dioxanone-(butylene succinate)] multiblockcopolymer

A series of poly[p-dioxanone-(butylene succinate)] (PPDOBS) copolymers were prepared from p-dioxanone (PDO), 1,4-butanediol and succinate acids through a two-step process including the initial prepolymer preparation of poly(p-dioxanone)diol (PPDO-OH) and poly(butylene succinate)diol (PBS-OH) and the following copolymerization of the two kinds of prepolymers by coupling with hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI). The molecular structures of the prepared PPDO-OH, PBS-OH and PPDOBS were characterized by hydrogen nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H NMR). The crystallization of the copolymers was investigated by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarized optical microscopy (POM) and wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD). It has been shown that the crystallization rate and the degree of crystallization increases with the increase of the weight fraction of poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) blocks in the copolymers. In phosphate buffer solution with pH 7.4 at 37 °C for 18 weeks, the hydrolytic degradation behaviors of the copolymers were studied. The changes of retention weight, water absorption, pH value, and surface morphologies with the degradation time showed that the hydrolytic degradation rate of PPDOBS could be controlled by adjusting the weight fraction of poly(p-dioxanone) (PPDO) and PBS blocks in the copolymers. The changes of the thermal properties of PPDOBS during the degradation were also investigated by DSC.     

Probing a conjugated polymer's transfer of organization-dependent properties from solutions to films

The dynamic transfer of a conjugated polymer's organization-dependent properties from the solution state to the solid film state was probed by circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Different supramolecular organizations within films and aggregate solutions of a chiral poly(p-phenylenevinylene) derivative led to opposite CPL and CD spectra. These dramatic property differences were controlled by regulating the polymer's self-assembly through solvent selection and film annealing. Therefore, different processing conditions can greatly affect the functional properties of conjugated polymer films employed in various optoelectronic applications.