Photochromism of Liquid Crystalline Polymers with Spiropyran Derivatives

Abstract New liquid crystalline polymers with spiropyran derivative for optical recording applications were prepared by radical polymerization from two different monomers composed of mesogenic unit and spiropyran moiety. The resulting polymers have been characterized by FT-IR, 1H-NMR, DSC and UV/Vis spectroscopy. The weight average molecular weight (M w ) of polymers were in the range of 13,000–30,700 and thermal decomposition initiated in the range of 350-370°C. Good quality films were obtained by spin-coating onto indium tin oxide (ITO) glass plate and some of polymers exhibited smectic and nematic liquid crystalline phase at elevated temperatures. These polymers showed promising photochromic and thermochromic activities for optical recording materials.