Triggering motion by light: The effect of arylazopyrazoles on liquid crystalline networks

Liquid crystalline networks are often described as artificial muscles because of their ability to perform work by processing external triggers. They are therefore an important research topic in actuator technology, especially when it comes to imitating living materials from nature. Particularly light-responsive systems based on the cis/trans-isomerization of azobenzenes are often investigated, since light is an easily controlled, specific and readily available trigger.

Arylazopyrazoles (AAP) represent a further development of azobenzenes. They have better photochemical properties in terms of photostationary state and time of switching, thermal half life of the relaxation and photostability. This work deals with the synthesis, characterization and implementation of new AAP into liquid crystalline networks for the fabrication of light-responsive actuators.