The photochromism of a new star-like liquid crystal that was written by Si(AZO)4 centered by Si and containing four butoxyazobenzene mesogens in its periphery was described. The quantum yield, photoisomerization and photo back-isomerization of Si(AZO)4 in CHCl3 and THF are studied by UV/Vis absorption spectra. The results indicate that the photochromism and photo back-isomerization of Si(AZO)4 in CHCl3 and THF were in accordance with the first order kinetics. The photochromism and photo back-isomerization rate constants are 10-1 s-1, which are 107 times larger than that of side-chain liquid crystalline polymers containing the same azobenzene moieties. These results indicate that the star-like structure does not significantly affect the photoisomerization activity of the azobenzene mesogen in its periphery. The kt/kc of Si(AZO)4 is less than that of azobenzene mesogen which shows that the Si(AZO)4 has better photo-reversibility. So the star-like liquid crystal has potential applications and will become a new type photocontrolable switch and information functional material. 相似文献
The synthesis of an oriented liquid‐crystalline photoresponsive polymer, prepared by polymerization of mono‐ and di‐acrylates, both of which contain azobenzene chromophores, is reported. The prepared free‐standing polymer film shows strong reversible photoinduced deformation upon exposure to unpolarized UV light at 366 nm, as a result of an optically induced isomeric change of the azobenzene moieties in the polymer network. The synthesis process is relatively simple and more efficient compared to conventional ones, and can be used to synthesize other liquid‐crystalline photoresponsive polymers. The use of this photoresponsive polymer film as an optical high‐pass/low‐pass switch under UV or natural light irradiation for a laser beam is demonstrated. This photoresponsive polymer may have applications in robotic systems, artificial muscles, and actuators in microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and labs on chips.
Two monomers, 2‐acryloyloxyethyl(didodecyl)methylammonium iodide and 2‐acryloyloxyethyl(didecyl)methylammonium iodide, were synthesized and characterized. Radical polymerization of both monomers was carried out to form comb‐like ionic polyacrylates as analogous amphiphilic derivatives of polysoaps. Thermal and mesogenic properties were evaluated by means of differential scanning calorimetry and polarizing microscopy. The polymers exhibited well‐defined thermotropic smectic mesophases only upon cooling. 相似文献