Title: An Azoester-containing Photoresponsive Linear Liquid Crystal Polymer with Good Mesophase Stability

Author: Shuqiang Han, Yingying Chen, Bo Xu, Jia Wei*, Yanlei Yu

Journal: Chinese J. Polym. Sci., 2020, 38, 806–813 (Cover Page)

Abstract:

Photoresponsive linear liquid crystal polymers (LLCPs) are attractive because of the excellent stimuli-responsibility and the good processability. In this study, a new photoresponsive LLCP containing azoester (PC11AE6) with good mesophase stability was synthesized by ring-opening metathesis polymerization. By introducing photoresponsive azoester mesogenic unit, which has high rigidity and a large length-diameter ratio, the resultant polymer possesses abroad mesophase temperature interval (isotropic temperature = 180 °C). A study on mesophase by 2D-wide angle X-ray diffraction indicated that the mesogens were orientated spontaneously into smectic A phase after annealing. The orientated films and fibres exhibited macroscopic, rapid and reversible deformations under light irradiation as a result of the photoisomerization of azoester as confirmed by UV-Vis absorption spectrophotometry. We anticipate that this work provides a strategy for preparing LLCP with a broad mesophase temperature range, which is positive for potential applications.

论文链接：https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10118-020-2383-0

PDF下载：An Azoester-containing Photoresponsive Linear Liquid Crystal Polymer with Good Mesophase Stability.pdf

本文通过开环易位聚合（ROMP）合成了一种新型光响应性含偶氮酯的线型液晶聚合物（PC11AE6），通过引入具有高刚性和大长径比的光响应偶氮酯介晶单元，所得聚合物具有较宽的液晶相温度区间（各向同性温度 = 180 °C）。并且由于聚合物的自发取向能力，PC11AE6薄膜和纤维在室温下具有近晶A相，在高温下具有近晶C相的各向异性结构。同时，液晶基元的平面外取向使得PC11AE6薄膜远离紫外光源弯曲，并在可见光照射下完全回复。