Main-chain photochromic conducting polymers

The optoelectronic properties of photochromic materials change in response to exposure to certain wavelengths of light. These alterations arise from specific electronic reorganization of conjugation pathways due to photochemically-triggered cyclizations and conformational changes. Polymers with photochromic switches pendent to the backbone retain monomer-like optoelectronic photoswitching responses while incorporation of photochromic switches directly into a conjugated backbone allows for greater, and often more dramatic, influence on the polymer optoelectronic properties. This ability for light-controlled variation of optoelectronic properties has driven research in the field of main-chain photochromic conducting polymers, and recent developments in this area will be discussed.