Azobenzene-containing glassy polyimides capable of photo-induced large-angle bending and methods of making the same

Abstract

Cross-linked polyimides based on a novel crosslinker and methods of making the same. The general structure of these heat-resistant and amorphous polyimides is shown as follows: in which n, m, and l denote the degrees of polymerization (DP) of each arm and the linking group R′ is one of the following moieties: —C(CF3)2—, —O—, —SO2—, >C(═O), —OPh-C(CH3)2-PhO-, -(Ph)C(CF3)—, or a direct bond (—). Films (cantilevers) comprising cross-linked polyimides according to the present invention demonstrate photodirected bending upon exposure to linearly polarized light.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.