Optical and photosensitive properties of comb-shaped polyamide-imides

A new method for modifying polymers with side carboxyl groups by glycidyl ethers of hydroxyl-containing azobenzene dyes has been developed. The spectral, thermomechanical, and photosensitive properties of dye-modified polyamide-imides have been studied as a function of the dye content in a polymer. The films of polymers under study were shown to be almost transparent at wavelengths above 500 nm. The mobility of side chromophore groups is rather high, which makes these polymers promising for nonlinear optical applications. The polymers are characterized by a photosensitivity of 103–104 cm2 J−1, which can be significantly increased by doping with diphenylamide molecules, which transport charge carriers.