Photoisomerizing polymers

Abstract

In an example, a process of forming a photoisomerizing azobenzene polymer includes chemically reacting an azobenzene material that includes at least two chlorocarbonyl functional groups with an amine to form a photoisomerizing azobenzene polymer. The photoisomerizing azobenzene polymer has a polymer chain that includes a first chlorocarbonyl group disposed at a first end of the polymer chain, a plurality of repeating azobenzene monomer units, and a second chlorocarbonyl group disposed at a second end of the polymer chain.

1 . A process of forming a photoisomerizing azobenzene polymer, the process comprising:
 chemically reacting an azobenzene material that includes at least two chlorocarbonyl functional groups with an amine to form a photoisomerizing azobenzene polymer,   wherein the photoisomerizing azobenzene polymer has a polymer chain that includes:
 a first chlorocarbonyl group disposed at a first end of the polymer chain; 
 a plurality of repeating azobenzene monomer units; and 
 a second chlorocarbonyl group disposed at a second end of the polymer chain. 
   
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein:
 exposure to a first wavelength of light results in azobenzene monomer units of the plurality of repeating azobenzene monomer units undergoing a first change of configuration to a cis-azobenzene configuration; and   exposure to a second wavelength of light results in azobenzene monomer units of the plurality of repeating azobenzene monomer units undergoing a second change of configuration to a trans-azobenzene configuration.   
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 2 , wherein the first wavelength of light is about 365 nanometers. 
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 2 , wherein the second wavelength of light is about 420 nanometers. 
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the azobenzene material includes azobenzene-4,4′-dicarbonyl dichloride, and wherein the amine includes 1,4-diaminobutane.