Impact of Backbone Rigidity on the Photomechanical Response of Glassy, Azobenzene-Functionalized Polyimides (Postprint)

Abstract

Azobenzene-functionalized polyimide materials can directly transduce light into mechanical force. Here, we examine the impact of polymer backbone rigidity on the photomechanical response in a series of linear, azobenzene-functionalized polymers. The rigidity of the backbone was varied by the polymerization of five dianhydride monomers with a newly synthesized diamine (azoBPA-diamine). The azobenzene-functionalized linear polymers exhibit glass transition temperatures (Tg) ranging from 276 to 307 C and maintain excellent thermal stability. The photomechanical response of these materials was characterized by photoinduced cantilever bending as well as direct measurement of photogenerated stress upon exposure to linearly polarized, 445 nm light. Increasing the rigidity of the polymer backbone increases the magnitude of stress that is generated but decreases the angle of cantilever deflection.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 13, 2014
Accession Number
ADA608511

Entities

People

  • David H Wang
  • Jeong J. Wie
  • Kyung M. Lee
  • Loon-Seng Tan
  • Timothy White

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Anhydrides
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Glass Transition Temperature
  • Materials
  • Measurement
  • Mechanical Properties
  • Optical Properties
  • Physical Properties
  • Rigidity
  • Spectra
  • Tensile Modulus
  • Tensile Properties
  • Tensile Strength
  • Transition Temperature

Readers

  • Battery Technology and Engineering
  • Nanoscale Plasmonic Nanotechnology
  • Polymer Science and Engineering.