title: Bidirectional photoresponse of surface pretreated azobenzene liquid crystal polymer networks.
abstract: We report on the photodriven, polarization-controlled response of UV-pretreated azobenzene-based liquid crystal polymer networks (azo- LCN) of polydomain orientation to higher wavelength CW argon-ion laser light (Ar(+)) of 457-514 nm. The significant absorbance of the azo-LCN cantilever in the UV is used to form an approximately 1 microm thick cis-isomer rich skin. Subsequent exposure to the Ar(+) laser drives a bidirectional bending process that is the result of two distinguishable photochemical processes. First, 457-514 nm laser light (regardless of polarization state) drives cis-trans photoisomerization of the UV-pretreated surface, restoring the order of the azobenzene liquid crystalline moieties. Mechanically, the cis-trans process results in an expansion on the exposed surface that forces the cantilever to undergo a rapid bend away from the laser source. Once a sufficient number of trans-azobenzene moieties are regenerated, continued Ar(+) illumination promotes both the trans-cis and cis-trans processes enabling trans-cis-trans reorientation. In this particular system and conditions, trans-cis-trans reorientation enables polarization controlled mechanical bending of different angles towards the Ar(+) source. Photomechanical responses of UV-pretreated azo-LCN demonstrate the viability of photogenerated effects in UV-rich environments such as space.
authors.affiliation: BEAM Engineering for Advanced Measurements Corporation, 809 South Orlando Ave., Suite I, Winter Park, Florida 32789, USA.
authors.forename: Uladzimir
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Hrozhyk
authors.forename: Svetlana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Serak
authors.forename: Nelson
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tabiryan
authors.forename: Timothy J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: Timothy J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Bunning