ABSTRACT

Azobenzene-containing polymers are fascinating materials with optical properties that can find many applications in diverse fields. In this chapter, the development of different materials modified with azobenzene chromophores is reported. On the one hand, various epoxy-based polymers containing azobenzene groups, both thermoplastics and thermosets, were synthesized and characterized. On the other hand, different block copolymers were modified with azobenzene moieties and, finally, azobenzenecontaining nanostructured thermosetting epoxy systems using functionalized block copolymers to promote the compatibilization of one block with the thermosetting system were also investigated.