Submit to Polymers Review for Polymers Propose a Special Issue

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser

Photo-Responsive Polymers

Print Special Issue Flyer
Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Published Papers

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2017) | Viewed by 99253

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. John T. Sheridan

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

UCD School of Electrical, Electronic and Mechanical Engineering, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
Interests: photo-polymeristion; photo-polymers; dye sensitised polymers; PQ/PMMA; optical applications of polymers including: holography, waveguides, gratings
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Yanlei Yu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Department of Materials Science, Fudan University, 220 Handan Road, Shanghai 200433, China
Interests: photoresponsive liquid crystal polymers; photodeformation; photoresponsive interfacial materials; optofluidic actuation

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

At the intersection of optical physics, dye and polymer chemistry and material and surface engineering lies the exciting area of photo-responsive polymers. The optical inspection/characterisation of materials and components and the application of polymers to manipulate light all have long and not unrelated histories. The topics that this Special Issue addresses encompasses the study, modelling and design of photo-polymer processes, materials and their applications. While the individual research areas and disciplines associated with photo-sensitive polymers are well-established, interest in the area itself is increasing and it is fair to describe it as a “hot topic”. In part this is driven by the successful development of UV curable adhesives, photoalignment and photopatterning, photomechanical effects, the production of holographic element for electromagnetic and matter waves and the generation of novel biomedical devices. It arises due to the ongoing development of new materials, allowing novel applications to be found. In some cases, such materials are easily more used, e.g., processed/cured, while in others they may be biocompatible or reproduce physical or biological function. Recent advances have also been driven by the need to find new ways to solve existing technological and scientific challenges. Such situations may require some particular combination of material performance characteristics, e.g., transparency, permeability, weight, compatibility, and/or low cost. The design and development of new photo-sensitive materials requires a fundamental understanding of the material properties required and the intended uses. The general aim of this review is to provide insights into the breadth of current research and developments in this area.

Prof. Dr. John T. Sheridan
Prof. Dr. Yanlei Yu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Polymers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

Photopolymer
Photosensitive
Photocurable
Dye
Photosensitiser
Holography
Photochemical
Photomechanical
Photoalignment
Photopatterning
Photochromic
Light-driven

Published Papers (14 papers)

Download All Papers

Research

Jump to: Review

2174 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spontaneous Formation of Fractal Aggregates of Au Nanoparticles in Epoxy-Siloxane Films and Their Application as Substrates for NIR Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy

by Dinesh K. Basker and Kalaichelvi Saravanamuttu

Polymers 2017, 9(10), 507; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym9100507 - 13 Oct 2017

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 5132

Abstract

We present a facile, inexpensive route to free-standing, thermo-mechanically robust and flexible epoxy-siloxane substrates embedded with fractal aggregates of Au nanoparticles, and demonstrate their efficiency as substrates for surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) at NIR wavelengths. The metallodielectric films are prepared by generating Au nanoparticles through the in-situ reduction of gold (III) chloride trihydrate in epoxypropoxypropyl terminated polydimethyl siloxane (EDMS). The metal nanoparticles spontaneously aggregate into fractal structures in the colloid, which could then be drop-cast onto a substrate. Subsequent UV-initiated cationic polymerization of epoxide moieties in EDMS transforms the fluid colloid into a thin, free-standing film, which contains a dense distribution of fractal aggregates of Au nanoparticles. We used electron and optical microscopy as well as UV–Vis–NIR spectrometry to monitor the evolution of nanoparticles and to optically and structurally characterize the resulting films. Raman spectroscopy of the chromophore Eosin Y adsorbed onto the metallodielectric films showed that they are excellent SERS substrates at NIR excitation with an enhancement factor of ~9.3 × 10³. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photo-Responsive Polymers)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

3982 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Photochromic Polyurethanes Showing a Strong Change of Transparency and Refractive Index

by Luca Oggioni, Chiara Toccafondi, Giorgio Pariani, Letizia Colella, Maurizio Canepa, Chiara Bertarelli and Andrea Bianco

Polymers 2017, 9(9), 462; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym9090462 - 20 Sep 2017

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 6908

Abstract

Photochromic polymers have been studied as rewritable systems for optical elements with tunable transparency in the visible and refractive index in the NIR. Six diarylethene monomers have been synthesized to give thin films of photochromic polyurethanes. The absorption properties of the monomers in [...] Read more.

10^{3}

can be obtained by a suitable choice of the chemical structure and illumination wavelength. The change in the refractive index in the NIR have been determined by ellipsometry showing changes larger than

10^{- 2}

. A trend of this variation with the absorption properties has been also highlighted. Fresnel lenses working on the basis of both a change of the transparency and the refractive index (amplitude and phase) have been demonstrated. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photo-Responsive Polymers)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

4732 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Light-Up of Rhodamine Hydrazide to Generate Emissive Initiator for Polymerization and to Afford Photochromic Polypeptide Metal Complex

by Jhen-Yan Gao, Wen-Chih Huang, Pei-Yi Huang, Cheng-Yu Song and Jin-Long Hong

Polymers 2017, 9(9), 419; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym9090419 - 05 Sep 2017

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 5701

Abstract

Ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of cyclic peptide monomer of γ-propargyl-l-glutamate N-carboxyanhydride (PLG–NCA) was originally initiated by non-emissive, ring-close rhodamine 6G hydrazide (R-C). However, instantaneously after adding PLG–NCA to R-C, the spirolactam ring of R-C was opened by PLG–NCA, rendering emissive, ring-open R-O to initiate ROP of PLG–NCA. The emissive R-O moiety therefore produced fluorescent R–PLG with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties. Moreover, R–PLG was found to exhibit photochromic properties with good fatigue resistance and long lifetime when forming metal complexes with Sn(II) and Fe(III). In the dark, irradiated metal complexes slowly (~50 min) restored to the initial state. This research provides foundation for the development of new photochromic materials with long lifetime. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photo-Responsive Polymers)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

3816 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Optimization of Photopolymer Materials for the Fabrication of a Holographic Waveguide

by Cristian Neipp, Jorge Francés, Francisco J. Martínez, Roberto Fernández, Mariela L. Alvarez, Sergio Bleda, Manuel Ortuño and Sergi Gallego

Polymers 2017, 9(9), 395; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym9090395 - 26 Aug 2017

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 6653

Abstract

In this work, we present a method of manufacturing an optical see-through display based on a holographic waveguide with transmission holograms that couple the incident light between air and the glass substrate, accomplishing total internal reflection. The holograms (slanted transmission gratings with a spatial frequency of 1700 lines/mm) were recorded on a polyvinyl alcohol acrylamide (PVA/AA) photopolymer. We will also show that the addition of N,N′-methylene-bis-acrylamide (BMA) to the composition of the photopolymer allows the achievement of the index modulations necessary to obtain high diffraction efficiencies in non-slanted diffraction gratings of 1000 and 2200 lines/mm, and also in slanted gratings of 1700 lines/mm (which are the base of the optical system proposed). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photo-Responsive Polymers)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

1413 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Light-Driven Liquid Crystal Circular Dammann Grating Fabricated by a Micro-Patterned Liquid Crystal Polymer Phase Mask

by Xiaoqian Wang, Saibo Wu, Weiqiang Yang, Conglong Yuan, Xiao Li, Zhen Liu, Manchun Tseng, Vladimir G. Chigrinov, Hoising Kwok, Dong Shen and Zhigang Zheng

Polymers 2017, 9(8), 380; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym9080380 - 21 Aug 2017

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 5711

Abstract

As one of the diffractive optical elements, circular Dammann grating has shown its excellent versatility in practical applications. The electrically switchable Dammann grating has been extensively investigated; however, the research on the optically tunable circular Dammann grating has received less attention and reports on this subject have been insufficient in the past decade. In this paper, three-order and eight-order binary-phase liquid crystal circular Dammann gratings with two mutually orthogonal photo-induced alignments in every two adjacent alignment domains, fabricated by a micro-patterned liquid crystal polymer phase mask, are proposed to generate annular uniform-intensity patterns in the far field. A simple maskless optical tuning of an eight-order liquid crystal circular Dammann grating is demonstrated by controlling the polarization of an ultraviolet light as well as the energy dose. The proposed liquid crystal circular Dammann gratings with high efficiencies and desirable uniformities exhibit outstanding optical as well as electrical tunabilities, enabling the widespread prospective applications in adaptive photonic chips stimulated flexibly by only light or by the combination of light and electric field. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photo-Responsive Polymers)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

2769 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Correlation-Based Multiplexing of Complex Amplitude Data Pages in a Holographic Storage System Using Digital Holographic Techniques

by Teruyoshi Nobukawa and Takanori Nomura

Polymers 2017, 9(8), 375; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym9080375 - 18 Aug 2017

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 5155

Abstract

Holographic recording media can store the amplitude and the phase, or the complex amplitude, of a beam on the basis of holography. Owing to this characteristic, digital data can be encoded onto the complex amplitude of a signal beam in holographic data storage. However, most of conventional holographic storage systems encode digital data onto the amplitude alone because there are difficulties for modulating and detecting the phase. To solve the difficulties, a holographic storage system using digital holographic techniques has been proposed. With the help of digital holographic techniques, it is possible to modulate and detect the complex amplitude of a signal beam. Moreover, the proposed system can modulate the complex amplitude of a reference beam. In this paper, by making use of the capability, a correlation-based multiplexing with uncorrelated reference beams is demonstrated in the proposed system. Multiple holograms can be recorded in the same volume of a recording medium with no need for mechanical movements. Experimental results show that the proposed system with a correlation-based multiplexing can improve the storage capacity and can utilize the full potential of a recording medium without crosstalk noise stem from the optical setup. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photo-Responsive Polymers)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

2331 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Additives Type Schiff’s Base as Modifiers of the Optical Response in Holographic Polymer-Dispersed Liquid Crystals

by Sandra Fenoll, Víctor Navarro-Fuster, Manuel Ortuño, Jose Luis Serrano, Andrés Márquez, Sergi Gallego, Inmaculada Pascual and Augusto Beléndez

Polymers 2017, 9(7), 298; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym9070298 - 21 Jul 2017

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 5385

Abstract

Schiff’s bases with specific π-electron system have been synthesized and used as additives in holographic polymer-dispersed liquid crystals. It was observed that these substances modify different parameters such as current intensity, voltage, and diffracted light intensity. In addition, the maximum diffraction efficiency obtained in the reconstruction of the holograms is related to the additive molecule. We propose a relationship between this behavior and the molecular structure of these substances. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photo-Responsive Polymers)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

4493 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Light-Driven Rotation and Pitch Tuning of Self-Organized Cholesteric Gratings Formed in a Semi-Free Film

by Ling-Ling Ma, Wei Duan, Ming-Jie Tang, Lu-Jian Chen, Xiao Liang, Yan-Qing Lu and Wei Hu

Polymers 2017, 9(7), 295; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym9070295 - 21 Jul 2017

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 6792

Abstract

Cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) has attracted intensive attention due to its ability to form a periodic helical structure with broad tunability. CLC gratings in open systems are especially promising in sensing and micromanipulation. However, there is still much to learn about the inherent mechanism of such gratings. We investigate the light-driven rotation and pitch-tuning behaviors of CLC gratings in semi-free films which are formed by spin-coating the CLC mixtures onto planarly photoaligned substrates. The doped azobenzene chiral molecular switch supplies great flexibility to realize the continuous grating rotation. The maximum continuous rotational angle reaches 987.8°. Moreover, dependencies of light-driven rotation and pitch tuning on the dopant concentration and exposure are studied. The model of director configuration in the semi-free film is constructed. Precise beam steering and synchronous micromanipulation are also demonstrated. Our work may provide new opportunities for the CLC grating in applications of beam steering, micromanipulation, and sensing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photo-Responsive Polymers)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

2999 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Modeling Diffractive Lenses Recording in Environmentally Friendly Photopolymer

by Roberto Fernández, Víctor Navarro-Fuster, Francisco Javier Martínez, Sergi Gallego, Andrés Márquez, Inmaculada Pascual and Augusto Beléndez

Polymers 2017, 9(7), 278; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym9070278 - 12 Jul 2017

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4723

Abstract

The improvements made in diffusion models simulating phase image recording in photopolymers enable the optimization of a wide range of complex diffractive optical elements (DOEs), while the miniaturization of spatial light modulators makes it possible to generate both symmetric and non-symmetric DOEs. In addition, there is increasing interest in the design of new friendly recording materials. In this respect, photopolymers are a promising material due to their optical properties. In this paper, we show a procedure to record diffractive spherical lenses using a nontoxic optimized photopolymer. To achieve this goal, we followed three steps: first, the chemical optimization for DOE recording; second, the recording material characterization to be simulated by a three-dimensional diffusion model; and third, the evaluation of the coverplating for the conservation of the DOE. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photo-Responsive Polymers)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

1683 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

A Near-Infrared Light-Responsive Hybrid Hydrogel Based on UCST Triblock Copolymer and Gold Nanorods

by Hu Zhang, Shengwei Guo, Shangyi Fu and Yue Zhao

Polymers 2017, 9(6), 238; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym9060238 - 20 Jun 2017

Cited by 48 | Viewed by 10081

Abstract

We report a near-infrared (NIR) light-responsive hydrogel that is capable of undergoing the gel to sol transition upon 785 nm light exposure based on a photothermal effect. The new hydrogel design relies on loading gold nanorods (AuNRs) in an ABA-type triblock copolymer, namely P(AAm–co–AN)–b–PDMA–b–P(AAm–co–AN), where P(AAm–co–AN) stands for a random copolymer of acrylamide and acrylonitrile that exhibits an upper critical solution temperature (UCST) in aqueous solution and PDMA is water-soluble polydimethylacrylamide. At solution temperature below UCST, the insoluble P(AAm–co–AN) blocks lead to formation of hydrogel of flower-like micelles. When the hydrogel is exposed to 785 nm NIR light, the absorption due to the longitudinal surface plasmon resonance of loaded AuNRs generates heat that raises the hydrogel temperature above UCST and, consequently, the gel-to-sol transition. The NIR light-triggered release of a protein loaded in the hydrogel was found to display a switchable fashion. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photo-Responsive Polymers)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

12131 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Photo-Induced Vertical Alignment of Liquid Crystals via In Situ Polymerization Initiated by Polyimide Containing Benzophenone

by Fei Wang, Leishan Shao, Qiyao Bai, Xinyuan Che, Bin Liu and Yinghan Wang

Polymers 2017, 9(6), 233; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym9060233 - 18 Jun 2017

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 8094

Abstract

Vertical alignment of liquid crystal (LC) was achieved in an easy and effective way: in situ photopolymerization of dodecyl acrylate (DA) monomers initiated by polyimide based on 3,3′,4,4′-benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride and 3,3′-dimethyl-4,4′-diaminodiphenyl methane (BTDA-DMMDA PI). The alignment behavior and alignment stabilities were characterized by a polarizing optical microscope (POM), which showed a stable vertical alignment after 12 h of thermal treatment. The chemical structures, morphology, and water contact angles of alignment films peeled from LC cells with and without DA monomers were analyzed by means of a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), a scanning electron microscope (SEM), and a contact angle tester, separately. The results confirmed that the DA monomers underwent self-polymerization and grafting polymerization initiated by the BTDA-DMMDA PI under ultraviolet irradiation, which aggregated on the surfaces of PI films. The water contact angles of the alignment films were about 15° higher, indicating a relative lower surface energy. In conclusion, the vertical alignment of LC was introduced by the low surface free energy of PI films grafted with DA polymer and intermolecular interactions between LC and DA polymers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photo-Responsive Polymers)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

3199 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Volume Hologram Formation in SU-8 Photoresist

by Tina Sabel

Polymers 2017, 9(6), 198; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym9060198 - 30 May 2017

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 7557

Abstract

In order to further understand the mechanism of volume hologram formation in photosensitive polymers, light-induced material response is analyzed in commonly used epoxy-based negative photoresist Epon SU-8. For this purpose, time-resolved investigation of volume holographic grating growth is performed in the SU-8 based host–guest system and in the pure SU-8 material, respectively. The comparison of grating growth curves from doped and undoped system allows us to draw conclusions on the impact of individual components on the grating formation process. The successive formation of transient absorption as well as phase gratings in SU-8 is observed. Influence of exposure duration and UV flood cure on the grating growth are investigated. Observed volume holographic grating formation in SU-8 can be explained based on the generation and subsequent diffusion of photoacid as well as time-delayed polymerization of exposed and unexposed areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photo-Responsive Polymers)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Review

Jump to: Research

12466 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Chemistry and Physics of Bayfol^® HX Film Holographic Photopolymer

by Friedrich-Karl Bruder, Thomas Fäcke and Thomas Rölle

Polymers 2017, 9(10), 472; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym9100472 - 26 Sep 2017

Cited by 118 | Viewed by 11589

Abstract

Holographic photopolymers are a new technology to create passive diffractive optical elements by a pure laser interference recording. In this review, we explain the chemistry concepts of light harvesting in an interference pattern and the subsequent grating formation as chemical response. Using the example of the newly developed Bayfol^® HX film we discuss the reaction-diffusion driven photo-polymerization process for an index modulation formation to create volume phase gratings. Further we elucidate the selection of monomer chemistry and discuss details of the recording conditions based on the concept of exposure dosage and exposure time. Influences ranging from high dosage recording to low power recording are explained and how to affect the desired diffraction efficiency. Finally, we outline and demonstrate the process to mass manufacturing of volume phase gratings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photo-Responsive Polymers)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

4146 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Review of Hologram Storage and Self-Written Waveguides Formation in Photopolymer Media

by Ra’ed Malallah, Haoyu Li, Damien P. Kelly, John J. Healy and John T. Sheridan

Polymers 2017, 9(8), 337; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym9080337 - 03 Aug 2017

Cited by 50 | Viewed by 8915

Abstract

Photopolymer materials have received a great deal of attention because they are inexpensive, self-processing materials that are extremely versatile, offering many advantages over more traditional materials. To achieve their full potential, there is significant value in understanding the photophysical and photochemical processes taking place within such materials. This paper includes a brief review of recent attempts to more fully understand what is needed to optimize the performance of photopolymer materials for Holographic Data Storage (HDS) and Self-Written Waveguides (SWWs) applications. Specifically, we aim to discuss the evolution of our understanding of what takes place inside these materials and what happens during photopolymerization process, with the objective of further improving the performance of such materials. Starting with a review of the photosensitizer absorptivity, a dye model combining the associated electromagnetics and photochemical kinetics is presented. Thereafter, the optimization of photopolymer materials for HDS and SWWs applications is reviewed. It is clear that many promising materials are being developed for the next generation optical applications media. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photo-Responsive Polymers)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Photo-Responsive Polymers

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Published Papers (14 papers)

Research

Review

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI