Epoxy-Based Azopolymers with Enhanced Photoresponsive Properties Obtained by Cationic Homopolymerization

GUSTAVO F. ARENAS; WALTER F. SCHROEDER; ROMINA P. OLLIER; PATRICIA A. OYANGUREN; MARIANELA VICTOREL; MARÍA J. GALANTE

MACROMOLECULAR MATERIALS AND ENGINEERING (PRINT)

WILEY-V C H VERLAG GMBH

Lugar: Weinheim; Año: 2017 vol. 302

1438-7492

Azopolymers are highly versatile materials due to their unique photoresponsiveproperties. In this contribution, a novel azo-modified epoxy network issynthesized by cationic homopolymerization with boron trifluoride monoethylamine(BF3.MEA) complex as initiator. The effect of the addition of a fixedcontent of amino-functionalized azo chromophore, Disperse Orange 3, intothe polymer matrix is studied in detail. First of all, the thermal curing cycleis optimized by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fouriertransform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) measurements. Then, the resultingbulk azo-modified epoxy networks are characterized by means of thermogravimetricanalysis (TGA), FTIR, DSC, UV-vis spectroscopy, and rheologicalmeasurements. Finally, the optical response of thin films of these materials isdetermined. The results evidence that azo-modified epoxy networks obtainedby cationic polymerization with optimized curing cycle display high Tg values,high maximum photoinduced birefringence, fast writing speed, and exceptionallyhigh remnant anisotropy. Therefore, this material is a promisingcandidate to be used for optical storage applications.