Light-induced modulation of viscoelastic properties in azobenzene polymers.

ABSTRACT: Photo-induced isomerization of azobenzene molecules drives mass migrations in azopolymer samples. The resulting macroscopic directional photo-deformation of the material morphology has found many applications in literature, although the fundamental mechanisms behind this mass transfer are still under debate. Hence, it is of paramount importance to find quantitative observables that could drive the community toward a better understanding of this phenomenon. In this regard, azopolymer mechanical properties have been intensively studied, but the lack of a nanoscale technique capable of quantitative viscoelastic measurements has delayed the progress in the field. Here, we use bimodal atomic force microscopy (AFM) as a powerful technique for nanomechanical characterizations of azopolymers. With

SUBMITTER: Chiodini S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10808048 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature