Photochromic polyelectrolyte-surfactant complexes via acid-base reactions

Polyelectrolyte-surfactant complexes of tetradecyltrimethylammonium polyacr ylate were formed from stoichiometric amounts of polyacrylic acid and tetra decyltrimethylammonium hydroxide in methanol. Photochromicity was introduce d by exchanging a few percent of tetradecyltrimethylammonium hydroxide by v arious stilbazolium hydroxides. The materials obtained showed photochromic properties. Optical anisotropy due to mesogenic behavior was not found in d ried samples, but appeared upon exposure to air. Certain changes in optical anisotropy occurred upon irradiation along with the photochromic features.