Structure dependence of photochromism and thermochromism of azobenzene-functionalized polythiophenes

Abstract

Two novel azobenzene-functionalized polythiophenes, poly[4-((4-(phenyl)azo)phenoxy)butyl-3-thienylacetate] (P4) and the copolymer of 3-hexylthiophene and 4-((4-(phenyl)azo)phenoxy)butyl-3-thienylacetate (COP64) have been synthesized. The structure dependence of photoluminescence features and thermochromic behaviors of both azobenzene-functionalized polymers was investigated. The results show that polymer structure has a strong influence on the conformation and optical properties of the resulting polythiophene derivatives. The photochemical control of photoluminescence property was achieved with homopolymer P4 using photoactive azobenzene side chains.

Keywords

• Smart polymers
• photochromism
• thermochromism
• photochemical isomerization
• molecular enginrre