Sensing Macromolecular Rearrangements in Polymer Networks by Photochromic Crosslinkers

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2011

School

Polymer Science and Engineering

Abstract

A new family of azobenzene crosslinked brominated vinyl ester (DABA–BrVE) polymer networks was developed that exhibits reversible photochromic and fluorescence properties in which azobenzene serves as a crosslinker as well as a molecular sensor of structural and conformational changes of the surrounding macromolecular segments. The covalently “build-in” azobenzene crosslinker functions as a light emitting group capable of sensing stresses or damages, thereby altering photochromic and fluorescence properties. These reversible processes induced by structural network rearrangements may offer numerous application possibilities ranging from molecular stress sensors or nano-crack detectors in composites and other materials.

Comments

Originally published in Journal of Materials Chemistry, 2011, 21, 8300-8308

Full-text only available for journal subscribers

Publication Title

Journal of Materials Chemistry

Volume

21

Issue

23

First Page

8300

Last Page

8308

Link to Full Text

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