Azo motifs have been extensively used as initiators for radical polymerization but interestingly only a few studies have demonstrated their usefulness as stimuli-responsive motifs embedded covalently into polymeric materials. Such systems are particularly interesting since azo moieties can be activated by temperature or light. This activation results in the cleavage of the C-N bonds leading to the evolution of N<sub>2</sub> and the formation of C-centered tertiary radicals that can further react. More importantly, these materials when multiple reactive groups are incorporated either into linear or network systems, these materials can be depolymerized and mechano-morphing materials can be obtained. Here several examples of azo-containing materials (solution, bulk, gels) will be presented and their chain scission under various stimuli (light, ultrasound and heat) studied. The utilization of such systems in the context of stimuli-responsiveness will also be broached.

Cutting to the chase: Azo-containing polymeric materials

251st National Meeting (2016)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.