Efficient photomechanical effect in 'side-chain' azo polyimides with low content of chromophore

The goal of the studies was the generation of photomechanical effects in a series of side-chain azo polyimides containing derivatives of azo pyridine. Our studies showed, that despite the low content of azo chromophore the bending of the polymer cantilever can be observed. For synthesized azo polyimides the dark cis-trans reaction was studied (405 nm light, P= 100 mW/cm2).The data includes:1H NMR for new azo polyimides (azo-PI-1, azo-PI-2, and azo-PI-3)WAXD for azo polyimidesUV-Vis spectra for azo polyimides in NMP solution (c = 10-5 mol/l)Cis-trans isomerization for azo polyimides in solid state. Trans-cis reaction was generated by 405 nm polarized light (P = 100 mW/cm2)Photos of photomechanical effect for azo polyimides was generated by 405 nm polarized light (P = 100 mW/cm2).