Tunable Photocontrolled Motions of Anil‐Poly(ethylene terephthalate) Systems through Excited‐State Intramolecular Proton Transfer and Trans–Cis Isomerization

With the combination of excited‐state intramolecular proton transfer and trans–cis isomerization as microscopic molecular motions under light stimulus, multiple photodeformable processes are achieved in anil‐poly(ethylene terephthalate) systems, including simple bending, dancing butterflies, and switches. The doping films can realize light‐driven contraction as large as 70% and bending angle of about 141°, upon a simple stretching process. The internal mechanism is confirmed by transient absorption spectra, and the relationship between molecular structure and photocontrolled motion is investigated by theoretical calculations and crystal analysis. This work provides a convenient approach by utilizing anils to fabricate reversible actuations with desirable geometries, greatly contributing to the applications and manufacturing of soft robots and related research. Multiple photoresponsive motions, excited‐state intramolecular proton transfer, and trans–cis isomerization, are combined into anil‐poly(ethylene terephthalate) systems to achieve photocontrolled function with the aid of a stretching process. The relationship between molecular structure and photodeformation property is investigated, to provide efficient strategies of molecular design for the further development of photoresponsive materials.