Synthesis and Characterization of Photochromic Copolymer Grafting Azoaromatic Chromospheres on Pullulan

Preparation of photochromic copolymer grafting 4-(4-nitro phenylazo)-1-naphthol units on a pullulan molecular surface has been accomplished. Surface modification was carried out in aqueous solution by an inverse emulsion polymerization method. Polymerization products were characterized by IR, SEM, XRD and TG-DTA. UV-vis spectroscopy has been used to monitor the photoisomerization of azobenzene moieties on a pullulan molecular surface. The results indicated that functional copolymer has a better photochromism property than its corresponding azobenzene moieties, reflecting the macromolecular backbone of pullulan should actively affect the photoisomerization of azoaromatic moieties.