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Research Article

Dynamics of the photo-induced orientation and relaxation of new polymethacrylates containing carbazolyl and azobenzene pendant groups

  1. Christophe Maertens1,
  2. Philippe Dubois2,
  3. Robert Jerôme1,*,
  4. Pierre-Alexandre Blanche3,
  5. Philippe C Lemaire3

Article first published online: 12 APR 1999

DOI: 10.1002/(SICI)1097-0126(199903)48:3<205::AID-PI92>3.0.CO;2-L

Issue

Polymer International

Polymer International

Volume 48, Issue 3, pages 205–211, March 1999

Additional Information

How to Cite

Maertens, C., Dubois, P., Jerôme, R., Blanche, P.-A. and Lemaire, P. C. (1999), Dynamics of the photo-induced orientation and relaxation of new polymethacrylates containing carbazolyl and azobenzene pendant groups. Polym. Int., 48: 205–211. doi: 10.1002/(SICI)1097-0126(199903)48:3<205::AID-PI92>3.0.CO;2-L

Author Information

  1. 1

    Centre for Education and Research on Macromolecules (CERM), University of Liège, Sart Tilman B6a, B-4000 Liège, Belgium

  2. 2

    Dept of Polymeric and Composite Materials, University of Mons-Hainaut, 20 place du Parc, 7000 Mons, Belgium

  3. 3

    Centre Spatial de Liège, University of Liège, Parc Scientifique du Sart Tilman, Avenue du Pré-Aily, B-4031 Liège, Belgium

*Centre for Education and Research on Macromolecules (CERM), University of Liège, Sart Tilman B6a, B-4000 Liège, Belgium

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 12 APR 1999
  2. Article first published online: 12 APR 1999
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 28 JUL 1998
  4. Manuscript Revised: 19 JUN 1998
  5. Manuscript Received: 23 MAR 1998

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Keywords:

  • optical properties;
  • azo-dye-containing polymers;
  • birefringence;
  • photorefractive polymers

Abstract

Polarized-light-induced birefringence has been investigated in copolymers of [ω-(N-carbazolyl)alkyl methacrylate] and [2,5-dimethylphenyl-[(4-nitrophenyl)azo]phenoxyalkyl methacrylate]. Optical properties of the side-chain copolymers have been compared with materials in which the azo-dye was merely dispersed in a poly[ω-(N-carbazolyl)alkyl methacrylate] matrix. Increasing the temperature of the film has a dramatic depressive effect on the maximum of photo-induced orientation near and above the glass transition temperature (Tg) region, while its effect was restricted under this temperature. Kinetics of the photo-orientation and the thermal relaxation as a function of temperature have been analysed by a biexponential model based on two rate constants. The universal Williams–Landel–Ferry (WLF) theory has been used to correlate the writing process and relaxation relative time constants with the relative temperature, i.e. T−Tg . The validity of this model for the studied materials leads to the assumption that photo-orientation and relaxation processes are mainly dependent on the free volume in the polymer matrix. This hypothesis has been assessed in the case of [11-(N-carbazolyl)undecyl methacrylate]-based materials.

© 1999 Society of Chemical Industry

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