Synthesis of Ferrocene- and Azobenzene-Based Epoxy Polymer and Its Film Preparation and Surface Wrinkle Regulation

Background: Surface wrinkle responding to external stimuli has potential applications in information storage, sensors, construction of special surfaces and so on. Ferrocene and azobenzenecontaining polymer Poly[2,2-Bis(4-glycidyloxyphenyl)propane-co-4-(4-ferrocenylimidephenylazo) benzenamine] (PAZO-Fc) and azobenzene-containing polymer Poly[2,2-Bis(4-glycidyloxyphenyl) propane-co-4- (4-nitrophenylazo)benzenamine] (PAZO) which have redox- and/or photo-responsive properties were synthesized by ring opening polymerization method. Methods: The structures were characterized by 1H NMR, FT-IR and GPC. TGA and DSC curves were recorded to study their thermal properties. Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) and Ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) absorption studies showed redox- and photo-responsive properties of PAZO-Fc. Results and Conclusion: The polymers were dissolved in THF and then spin-coated on a plasma-treated PDMS substrate to induce surface wrinkling by heating. The effect of light irradiation and redox reagents on the regulation of surface wrinkles was investigated. This kind of regulation has potential application in information storage.