Photoinduced Liquefaction of Azobenzene‐Containing Polymers

Abstract Light can liquefy some solid azobenzene‐containing polymers (azopolymers) by photoisomerization. Two types of photoinduced liquefaction of azopolymers have been reported: (1) polarized light can guide solid azopolymers “flow” along the polarization direction, which is called directional photofluidization and has been used for inscription of surface relief gratings (SRGs); (2) recently, some of us found that light can switch the glass transition temperatures ( T g ) of azopolymers and induce reversible solid‐to‐liquid transitions of these azopolymers. This Minireview demonstrates and compares directional photofluidization and photoinduced reversible solid‐to‐liquid transitions of azopolymers. Potential applications based on photoinduced liquefaction of azopolymers are highlighted and some remaining challenges in the field of photoinduced liquefaction of azopolymers are discussed.