Polarization-dependent deformation in light responsive polymers doped by dichroic dyes

Year: 2019

Authors: Martella D., Nocentini S., Micheletti F., Wiersma D., Parmeggiani C.

Autors Affiliation: Univ Florence, LENS, Via Nello Carrara 1, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; Univ Florence, Dept Chem Ugo Schiff, Via Lastruccia 3-13, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; CNR, Ist Nazl Ott, Sede Secondaria Sesto Fiorentino, Via Nello Carrara 1, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; Univ Florence, Dept Phys & Astron, Via Sansone 1, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; Ist Nazl Ric Metrol INRiM, Str Cacce 91, I-10135 Turin, Italy; CNR, Ist Fis Appl Nello Carrara, Via Madonna Piano 10, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy.

Abstract: Light represents a very versatile stimulus and its use to control the deformation in shape-changing polymers can take advantage of multiple parameters (such as wavelength, intensity and polarization) to be explored in order to obtain differentiated responses. Polymers with selected color responsiveness are commonly prepared by using different dyes, while a polarization-dependent control can be introduced exploiting trans-cis isomerization of azobenzenes. As shape-changing polymers driven by a photothermal effect are gaining more and more attention in many application fields, exploring polarization to modulate their response could enlarge the tuning parameter space and provide an insight into the material optical properties. In this work, we demonstrate the effect of light polarization on the deformation of liquid crystalline networks doped by a small amount of a push-pull azobenzene. We demonstrate how enhancing the dye alignment in the polymeric matrix leads to different deformations by orthogonal polarizations. These results demonstrate polarization as a convenient further degree of freedom besides wavelength and intensity of the light stimulus.

Journal/Review: SOFT MATTER

Volume: 15 (6)      Pages from: 1312  to: 1318

More Information: The research leading to these results has received funding from Laserlab-Europe EU-H2020 654148; Ente Cassa di Risparmio di Firenze (grant 2015/0781) and Fondazione Telethon (grant GGP16191). This research project has also been supported by the FAS-Salute ToRSADE project.
KeyWords: Azobenzene; Deformation; Degrees of freedom (mechanics); Light polarization; Optical properties, Application fields; Liquid crystalline networks; Multiple parameters; Orthogonal polarizations; Photothermal effects; Polymeric matrices; Responsive polymer; Trans-cis isomerization; Polymers
DOI: 10.1039/c8sm01954a

Citations: 38
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