Photo-fabrication of electroactive polymers for photonics

Abstract Novel azo chromophore containing polymers have been synthesized both chemically and enzymatically. Surface initiated mechanism for relief structure form ation on the azo polymer films have been studied for a high molecular weight azo functionalized poly(acrylic acid) by restricting the free surface in a controlled manner. Enzyme catalyzed poly(phenol) and polyaniline containing azo functional groups have also been synthesized and for the first time the feasibility of these biologically derived electroactive polymers for surface relief grating applications are undertaken.