Synthesis and Electrooptical Properties of Side-Chain Polymethacrylates and Polycomplexes Containing Azobenzene Moieties with Different Length Spacers

Abstract

We propose new structures of metal-containing azopolymers with changeable electro-optical properties depending on different length spacers. The new monomers-4-{4-[4-(methacroyloxy)butoxy)phenyl] diazenyl benzoic acid, 4-{4-[4-(methacroyloxy)octyl) oxy]phenyl}diazenyl] benzoic acid and their complexes with Co and polymers based on these ones were synthesized. The influence of the electric field on the absorption spectra of new metal-containing azopolymers was investigated. Electro-optical properties of polymeric films are determined by the reorientation of dipole moments of azobenzene groups photo induced by the polarized light in the electric field. Increase of structural flexibility due to the photo isomerization of azobenzene groups increases the electro-optical effect value.