Issue 35, 2017

Interpenetrating polymer networks of liquid-crystalline azobenzene polymers and poly(dimethylsiloxane) as photomobile materials

Abstract

We developed photomobile polymer materials with interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) structures composed of crosslinked liquid-crystalline azobenzene polymer (PAzo) and poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS). By introducing PDMS into a PAzo template network, IPN was formed without disturbing the alignment of mesogens in the PAzo network. The films showed macroscopic bending behavior upon irradiation with UV and visible light. Although the IPN film showed a phase separated structure, the bending speed was significantly enhanced compared with the pristine film of PAzo, thanks to the soft nature of PDMS. The present method of preparing IPNs can be a promising approach to combine PAzo with various polymers and enhance the mechanical and photoresponsive properties.

Graphical abstract: Interpenetrating polymer networks of liquid-crystalline azobenzene polymers and poly(dimethylsiloxane) as photomobile materials

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Communication
Submitted
16 Thg7 2017
Accepted
16 Thg8 2017
First published
16 Thg8 2017

Soft Matter, 2017,13, 5820-5823

Interpenetrating polymer networks of liquid-crystalline azobenzene polymers and poly(dimethylsiloxane) as photomobile materials

T. Ube, K. Minagawa and T. Ikeda, Soft Matter, 2017, 13, 5820 DOI: 10.1039/C7SM01412K

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