Azobenzene Functionalized “T-Type” Poly(Amide Imide)s vs. Guest-Host Systems—A Comparative Study of Structure-Property Relations

This paper describes the synthesis and characterization of new “T-type” azo poly(amide imide)s as well as guest-host systems based on the “T-type” matrices. The matrices possessed pyridine rings in a main-chain and azobenzene moieties located either between the amide or imide groups. The non-covalent polymers contained the molecularly dispersed 4-phenylazophenol or 4-[(4-methyl phenyl)diazinyl]phenol chromophores that are capable of forming intermolecular hydrogen bonds with the pyridine rings. The FTIR spectroscopy and the measurements of the thermal, optical and photoinduced optical birefringence were employed for the determination of the influence of H-bonds and the specific elements of polymer architecture on physicochemical properties. Moreover, the obtained results were compared to those described in our previous works to formulate structure-property relations that may be considered general for the class of “T-type” azo poly(amide imide)s.