Novel Azobenzene Homopolymers via Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization Initiated by an Azobenzene Derivative

Abstract:

An azobenzene derivative substituted with a 2-bromoisobutyryl group was used as an initiator for the atom transfer radical polymerization of 2-[4-(4-ethoxyphenylazo)phenoxy]ethyl methacrylate) (MAZO). The resulting homopolymers (AZO-PMAZO) possess azobenzene moieties both in the main chain and in the side chain. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarized optical microscopy (POM) preliminarily revealed the liquid crystalline property of these polymers. The novel liquid crystalline polymers are expected to act as the candidates in some promising areas including optical data storage, optical switch, and molecular devices.

• Periodical: Materials Science Forum (Volumes 663-665)
• Pages: 92-95
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/MSF.663-665.92
• Online since: November 2010
• Authors: Xin De Tang, De Jie Zhou, Nian Feng Han
• Keywords: Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (ATRP), Azobenzene, Homopolymer, Liquid Crystal

References

[1] A. Natansohn and P. Rochon: Chem. Rev. Vol. 102 (2002), p.4139.

[2] K. Matyjaszewski and J. Xia: Chem. Rev. Vol. 101 (2001), p.2921.

[3] L. Cui, Y. Zhao, A. Yavrian and T. Galstian: Macromolecules Vol. 36 (2003), p.8246.

[4] X. Tang, L. Gao, X. Fan and Q. Zhou: J. Polym. Sci. Part A: Polym. Sci. Vol. 45 (2007), p.2225.

[5] K. Matyjaszewski and J. Xia: Chem. Rev. Vol. 101 (2001), p.2921.

[6] X. Tang, L. Gao, X. Fan and Q. Zhou: J. Polym. Sci. Part A: Polym. Chem. Vol. 45 (2007), p.5190.

[7] X. Tang, L. Gao, X. Fan and Q. Zhou: J. Polym. Sci. Part A: Polym. Chem. Vol. 45 (2007), p.3342.

[8] X. Tang, L. Gao, X. Fan and Q. Zhou: J. Polym. Sci. Part A: Polym. Chem. Vol. 45 (2007), p.1653.