Efficient surface structuring and photoalignment of supramolecular polymer–azobenzene complexes through rational chromophore design

Abstract

Rational selection of the para-substituent of azobenzene chromophores in supramolecular polymeric complexes is exploited to control the chromophore–chromophore intermolecular interactions occurring in the material system. This allows optimizing the material system for either efficient surface-relief formation or for high and stable photoalignment. The surface-relief gratings can be subsequently coated with amorphous TiO₂ using atomic layer deposition, resulting in high-quality and high-index organic–inorganic gratings with vastly improved thermal stability compared to all-polymeric gratings.