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Introduction

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Azo Polymers

Part of the book series: Soft and Biological Matter ((SOBIMA))

Abstract

This chapter is the introduction of this book to discuss the background and terminology related to azo compounds and azo polymers. As azo groups play a critically important role in determining the functions of azo polymers, their structures and spectroscopic features are discussed first. Light absorption and electronic excitation of the aromatic azo cores are then discussed to understand the initial steps to cause the photoresponsive variations of azo polymers. Photoisomerization of azo groups, which is the most important concept for understanding the contents of this book, is briefly introduced here. Based on the understanding, azo functional structures are classified according to their spectral features and isomerization behavior. Finally, a brief retrospect of azo polymers is given to end this chapter.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China

    Xiaogong Wang

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  1. Xiaogong Wang
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Wang, X. (2017). Introduction. In: Azo Polymers. Soft and Biological Matter. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-53424-3_1

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