Azobenzene-containing block copolymers: the interplay of light and morphology enables new functions

In azobenzene-containing block copolymers (azo BCPs), the reversible trans–cisphotoisomerization of the chromophore can be coupled with the microphase separation-induced morphology. Recent studies revealed a number of new functions generated from the interaction of photoactivity and self-organized nanostructures in BCPs. In this paper, we highlight and discuss representative examples that include photoinduced order and patterning of nanostructures in thin films, photosensitive thermoplastic elastomers, BCPs for holographic gratings and photocontrolled morphological transitions in solution.