Abstract
Photopolymers make a distinct class of materials that have the ability to undergo
physical and chemical change by the action of light. This has another important
aspect in that the light stimulus can be applied from remote location without
coming in contact with the substrate. At the outset of this chapter, introduction has
been made on various combinations and architectures of the photoactive liquid
crystalline polymers. The importance of photoresponsive LC polymers in holograms making and their important types are discussed. This is followed by
discussion on photomechanical properties of photoresponsive LC polymers,
composites, and elastomers. Individual mechanical change in multiple addressable segments of a system is discussed as this will enable future smart complicated functions. Liquid single crystalline elastomers with superior
optomechanical properties have been discussed. Photoresponsive LC polymer
composites comprising polymer-stabilized liquid crystals (PSLC) and polymerdispersed liquid crystals (PDLCs) have been briefly presented. This is followed
by deliberations on the photoactive LC anisotropic gel and photoactive noncovalent LCP, such as liquid crystalline ionomers containing azobenzene mesogens and hydrogen-bonded liquid crystalline azo polymer, respectively.
Nanoparticle-LC elastomer composites that have light-responsive nanoparticles
and photoresponsive main-chain oligomers useful for studying various mainchain characteristics are elaborated. Then, the macrocycles containing
azobenzene main-chain oligomers, useful in characterizing the structure–property
relationship, and stimulus-induced deformations in various geometries of photoresponsive LCPs have been discussed. Ferroelectric liquid crystals, useful for
electronic and photonic devices, are also added to the discussion. Light-sensitive
microcapsules based on LCP and photoresponsive membranes useful in the area
of biotechnology, including drug delivery, biosensing, microfluidics, lightpowered molecular machines, molecular shuttles, data storage, etc., have been
elaborated. The chapter ends with future directions.
Keywords
Photoactivity · Azo dye · Photoactive liquid crystalline polymer · Orientation ·
Holographic recording · Ionomer · Hydrogen bonding
Definition
Photoactivity
There are several molecules in chemistry
and biological system which on exposure
to light of specific wavelength undergo
physical or chemical changes.
Photoactive liquid crystalline polymers The liquid crystalline polymers (LCP)
showing activity under radiation having
specific wavelength are called photoactive liquid crystalline polymer.
392
A. B. Samui
Photopolymers make a distinct class of materials that have the ability to undergo
physical and chemical change by the action of light. This has another important
aspect in that the light stimulus can be applied from remote location without
coming in contact with the substrate. At the outset of this chapter, introduction has
been made on various combinations and architectures of the photoactive liquid
crystalline polymers. The importance of photoresponsive LC polymers in holograms making and their important types are discussed. This is followed by
discussion on photomechanical properties of photoresponsive LC polymers,
composites, and elastomers. Individual mechanical change in multiple addressable segments of a system is discussed as this will enable future smart complicated functions. Liquid single crystalline elastomers with superior
optomechanical properties have been discussed. Photoresponsive LC polymer
composites comprising polymer-stabilized liquid crystals (PSLC) and polymerdispersed liquid crystals (PDLCs) have been briefly presented. This is followed
by deliberations on the photoactive LC anisotropic gel and photoactive noncovalent LCP, such as liquid crystalline ionomers containing azobenzene mesogens and hydrogen-bonded liquid crystalline azo polymer, respectively.
Nanoparticle-LC elastomer composites that have light-responsive nanoparticles
and photoresponsive main-chain oligomers useful for studying various mainchain characteristics are elaborated. Then, the macrocycles containing
azobenzene main-chain oligomers, useful in characterizing the structure–property
relationship, and stimulus-induced deformations in various geometries of photoresponsive LCPs have been discussed. Ferroelectric liquid crystals, useful for
electronic and photonic devices, are also added to the discussion. Light-sensitive
microcapsules based on LCP and photoresponsive membranes useful in the area
of biotechnology, including drug delivery, biosensing, microfluidics, lightpowered molecular machines, molecular shuttles, data storage, etc., have been
elaborated. The chapter ends with future directions.
Keywords
Photoactivity · Azo dye · Photoactive liquid crystalline polymer · Orientation ·
Holographic recording · Ionomer · Hydrogen bonding
Definition
Photoactivity
There are several molecules in chemistry
and biological system which on exposure
to light of specific wavelength undergo
physical or chemical changes.
Photoactive liquid crystalline polymers The liquid crystalline polymers (LCP)
showing activity under radiation having
specific wavelength are called photoactive liquid crystalline polymer.
392
A. B. Samui