3a02 Photomobile Materials with Double Network Structures : Crosslinked Azobenzene Liquid-Crystalline Polymer/Methacrylate Composites

Abstract

We prepared photomobile polymer materials composed of crosslinked azobenzene liquid-crystalline polymers and methacrylates with interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) structures, and explored their photoresponsive behavior and durability. Upon exposure to UV light, the IPN films bent toward a light source and the bent films reverted to the initial state when irradiated with visible light. The bending speed of the IPN films depends on the glass transition temperature of methacrylates.