Synthesis and Application of Well-Defined Stimuli Responsive Materials

Abstract

Ring opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) was used to prepare well-defined azobenzene functionalized polymers with unprecedented control over molecular weight and functional group tolerance. The material's physical response to plane polarized light was studied in thin films and latex particles. Relief gratings were fabricated in a single step via proximity field nanopatterning which provided interesting surface structured materials without the need for development or post curing. The same material was used to prepare isotropic colloidal particles of the polymer. These latex particles were transformed to ellipsoids in response to irradiation by linearly polarized light perpendicular to the sample surface.