Abstract
Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) is applied to study photochemical transformations in poly(p-methacryloylaminophenyl methacrylate), a material with pronounced liquid crystal photoalignment capability. The characteristic bands corresponding to photosensitive groups of this polymer are identified by comparing its FTIR spectra with the spectra of model compounds having a reduced number of photochemical transformations. The changes in FTIR spectra of this material under ultraviolet illumination give evidence of two Fries rearrangements (in arylamide and arylester groups) and a conversion of C˭CH2 methacrylic bonds. This allows one to refine the microscopic model of photoinduced ordering in this class of polymers.
Acknowledgment
These studies were partially supported by the “Dnipro” program of the French-Ukrainian scientific collaboration. We thank Dr. O. Fesenko and Ms. O. Litsis for the kind assistance in FTIR measurements.
Notes
*Due to the presence of free methacrylic groups capable to crosslink in a course of DSC measurements it was not possible to obtain correct Tg values.
*Corresponding group is absent.
Note: ν - stretching, δ - deformational vibrations.