Photoisomerization patterns based on molecular complex phases of syndiotactic polystyrene

Syndiotactic polystyrene (s-PS) films presenting molecular-complex crystalline phases with norbornadiene (N), possibly suitable for data storage systems with molecular size marks, have been thoroughly investigated. In particular, a procedure suitable for obtaining polymer films containing N molecules only in the crystalline phase and the long-term stability of this s-PS/N molecular-complex crystalline form have been investigated by thermogravimetric, infrared linear dichroism and X-ray diffraction experiments. The possible loss of guest molecules during photoisomerization processes from N to quadricyclane (Q) has also been studied. Moreover, the N and Q patterns obtained by photoisomerization and their long-term stability have been investigated by Fourier transform infrared microscopy.