Synthesis and characterization of novel photoactive poly(arylene ether ketone) with azobenzene pendants

A novel azobenzene-functionalized poly(arylene ether ketone) (azo-PAEK) with azo moieties on the pendants was prepared by post-esterification reaction of acid-containing poly(arylene ether ketone) (acid-PAEK) with 4-((4-nitrophenyl)diazenyl)phenol (NAP). DSC and TGA measurements indicate the azo-PAEK has high glass transition temperature of 152 °C and good thermal stability with 5% weight loss at 319 °C. Irradiated by 360 nm UV light, the azo-PAEK shows a significant photoisomerization effect. Under the illumination of linearly polarized laser beam, significant surface-relief-gratings (SRGs) with the surface modulation depth of 37 nm were fabricated rapidly on the azo-PAEK film.