Thermal and Photo Alignment Behavior of Polymers in Multiply-Layered Films Composed of Polyethylene Imines Having Azobenzene Side Chain Groups and Polyvinyl Alcohol

摘要

Polyethylene imines having 4-methoxyazobenezene group through methylene spacer groups (PEI6 M) were synthesized and their photochemical, thermooptical as well as photoorientational behavior were investigated. PEI6 M films showed high dichroism and order parameter values after annealing and developed out-ofplane order. Multiply-layered films exhibited reflection band and reflection band was almost dis appeared by annealing the films at 80° C. In addition reflection band was again observed by UV light irradiation because of reorientation of azobenzene groups from out-of-plane order to random state. The photochemical control of molecular orien tation of PEI6 M between random state and out-of-plane structures were achieved by combination of thermal and photochemical processes.