Facile preparation of recyclable photodeformable azobenzene polymer fibers with chemically crosslinked networks

The synthesis of a series of side-chain polymers bearing pendant thiol-substituted azobenzene mesogens and the facile preparation of photodeformable fibers with outstanding processability, good stability (in terms of their resistance to higher temperatures and organic solvents), and high recyclability by using reversible thiol-disulfide switches are described for the first time.