Photodeformable microspheres from an azo molecule containing a 1,4,3,6-dianhydrosorbitol core and cinnamate peripheral groups

Abstract

Microspheres formed from an azo molecule containing a 1,4,3,6-dianhydrosorbitol core and cinnamate peripheral groups are fabricated by the solvent-induced self-assembly in an aqueous dispersion. The effect of the initial concentration on the microsphere formation is elucidated by investigations with light scattering and TEM observation. Photoinduced deformation along the light polarization direction is demonstrated for the microspheres in the solid state upon the irradiation with a linearly polarized light. The deformation occurs at a much faster rate compared with that of azo polymer microspheres under the same light irradiation condition.