Studies on pyroelectric response of polymers modified with azobenzene moieties

In this review we present investigations on new materials and arrangements for new pyroelectric sensor devices. We applied pyroelectrical measurements on thin films based upon poly(vinyl alcohol)s and poly(siloxane)s with azobenzene side chains and discuss the relaxation behaviour and stability of poled pyroelectric polymers. Results on special poly(vinyl alcohol)s with side chains consisting of azobenzene unit and aliphatic head group are comparable with those achieved by poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF). The new radiation-sensitive material seemed to be suitable as a detector system for the in situ determination of glucose in blood. Further developments of a complex detector system are now under investigation.