Comb-shaped photochromic liquid-crystalline ionomers

New comb-shaped photochromic amorphous and LC ionomers were synthesized hy the protonation of amino groups of a tertiary amine 4-(10-diethylaminodecyl oxy)azobenzene by the carboxyl groups of functionalized copolymers. The eff ect of the concentration of ionogenic groups on the phase state of ionomers was studied. The appearance of induced birefringence under laser irradiati on in ionomers and copolymers containing the same photochromic groups was i nvestigated. It was demonstrated that the growth and decay of induced biref ringence for ionomers and photochromic copolymers obey similar laws.