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

US8785589B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force · US

Inventors

• Loon-Seng Tan · Centerville, US
• David Huabin Wang · Beavercreek, US
• Kyung Min Lee · Dayton, US
• Timothy J. White · Manhattan, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 19, 2013
• Grant date: Jul 22, 2014
• Expiry date: Apr 19, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C08G73/1085
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

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.