Enhancement of Photogenerated Mechanical Force in Azobenzene‐Functionalized Polyimides

Bending the rules: The role of crystallinity in the generation of photomechanical effects is examined for a series of linear azobenzene-functionalized polyimides. The less pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) that is present in the polyimide the less crystalline it is, and therefore the more the cantilever bends when exposed to light (see figure).