Characterization of azobenzene polymer networks using in situ solid state NMR and temperature dependent photostriction

Azobenzene liquid crystal polymer networks (azo-LCNs) undergo a complex light-driven molecular conformation change of the azobenzene chromophore which imparts a macroscopic shape change within a glassy polymer network. To better understand molecular conformational changes which underlie macroscopic polymer deformation, we have collected solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data on 19F fluorinated side-chain azo-LCNs using an in situ visible light (450–458 nm) LED light source. We illustrate measurable changes in 19F NMR lineshapes under light irradiation, indicating that conformational changes can be probed by NMR. The measured effects of light on NMR spectra are also found to be reversible upon removal of the light source. We further show that sample heating does not affect azobenzene isomerization through analysis of temperature-dependent magic-angle-spinning NMR lineshapes. These results illustrate a narrowing of the lineshapes, but no change in the NMR peak positions, indicating that heating from 30 and 60 ° C affects molecular dynamics but does not change the azobenzene conformation. In addition to NMR data, benchtop photomechanical uni-axial measurements are taken over a temperature range from 23 to 60 ° C. Samples with the fluorinated side-chain azo-LCNs are compared to samples composed only of non-fluorinated main-chain azo-LCN composition. Similar stress relaxation was observed in both compositions under high pre-stretch. The amount of stress relaxation was found to depend on the pre-stretch, the ambient temperature, and the polarization of light. (paper)