Photochromism of 4-cyanophenylazobenzene in liquid crystalline-coil AB diblock copolymers: The influence of microstructure

Abstract

The UV and V spectral features of an AB diblock copolymer composed of polystyrene and a poly(1,2 & 3,4)isoprene-based polymer with a pendant liquid crystalline 4-cyanophenylazobenzene (Az) group in comparison with those of a corresponding LC polyisoprene homopolymer are reported. The orientational and photochromic behavior of an AB diblock copolymer in thin films shows distinct differences from that of a corresponding Az homopolymer. This can be attributed to the influence of the phase separated polymer coil microdomain of polystyrene in the AB block copolymer film. © Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH, 2000.