Photofunctional control in oriented film of liquid crystalline polymer with N-Benzylideneaniline side groups

Abstract

The photoreactive polymeric film with NBA side groups exhibited an axis-selective trans-cis-trans photoreorientation by irradiating with linearly polarized ultraviolet (LPUV) light. Annealing the films in the liquid crystalline temperature range of the material greatly amplified the photo-induced small optical anisotropy of the irradiated films. Then hydrolysis of NBA was induced in acid vapor. Furthemore, photofunctionalization of the oriented film is performed by dropping low molecular amine derivatives onto the film to regeneration the oriented NBA derivatives. Through this process, birefringence of the oriented film was controlled.