Synthesis, characterization, and photochromic properties of PMMA functionalized with 4,4′-diacryloyloxyazobenzene

✍ Scribed by Xiao Hu; Xiongyan Zhao; Leong Huat Gan; Xulin Xia

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2001
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 200 KB
• Volume: 83
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0021-8995
• DOI: 10.1002/app.10063

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

Attempts to introduce the azo chromophore into poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) molecular chains were made in search for a new approach to obtain functionalized‐PMMA (f‐PMMA) with high glass transition temperature and an adequate azo content. A novel functionalized monomer, 4,4′‐diacryloyloxyazobenzene (DAOAB), was synthesized and used as grafting agent in the polymerization of methyl methacrylate. ^1^H‐NMR spectrum, FTIR spectrum, elemental analysis, and MDSC measurement confirmed that the proposed structure of DAOAB was synthesized successfully. Furthermore, the thermal properties and photochromic behavior of f‐PMMA samples were also analyzed by DSC, TGA, and UV–visible spectroscopy. The results have shown that f‐PMMA exhibited a better photochromic behavior and considerably improved thermal properties than pure PMMA. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 83: 1061–1068, 2002