Photomobile Polymer Materials: Photoresponsive Behavior of Cross‐Linked Liquid‐Crystalline Polymers with Mesomorphic Diarylethenes |
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| Authors: | Dr Jun‐ichi Mamiya Akito Kuriyama Naoki Yokota Dr Munenori Yamada Prof?Dr Tomiki Ikeda |
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| Institution: | 1. Chemical Resources Laboratory, Tokyo Institute of Technology, R1‐12, 4259 Nagatsuta, Midori‐ku, Yokohama 226‐8503 (Japan), Fax: (+81)?45‐924‐5275;2. Research and Development Initiative, Chuo University, 1‐13‐27, Kasuga, Bunkyo‐ku, Tokyo 112‐8551 (Japan), Fax: (+81)?3‐3817‐1631 http://www.chem.chuo‐u.ac.jp/～ikedalab/index_e.html |
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| Abstract: | Cross‐linked liquid‐crystalline (LC) polymers with a mesomorphic diarylethene were prepared to demonstrate a versatile strategy for cross‐linked photochromic LC polymers as photomobile materials. Upon exposure to UV light to cause photocyclization of the diarylethene chromophore, the cross‐linked polymer films bend toward an actinic light source. By irradiation with visible light to cause a closed‐ring to open‐ring isomerization, the bent films revert to the initial flat state. Without visible‐light irradiation, the bent films remain bent even at 120 °C, indicating high thermal stability of the cross‐linked diarylethene LC polymers. |
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| Keywords: | actuators liquid crystals photochromism photomechanical effects polymers |
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