Synthesis, self-assembly and photoinduced surface-relief gratings of a polyacrylate-based Azo polyelectrolyte

Abstract A polyacrylate-based azo polyelectrolyte was synthesized and characterized by the spectroscopic methods and thermal analysis. Layer-by-layer self-assembly of the azo polyelectrolyte through electrostatic adsorption was explored. By using a dipping solution of the anionic azo polyelectrolyte in anhydrous DMF, together with an aqueous solution of cationic poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDAC), high quality multilayer films were obtained through the sequential deposition of the oppositely charged polyelectrolytes. With interfering illumination of Ar+ laser beams (488 nm), significant surface-relief gratings formed on the self-assembled multiplayer films were observed.