Cast, Dip, Spray, and Print─Covalently Embedded Photochromic Materials from a Versatile Spiropyran Conjugate

Abstract

Dynamic photochromic dyes are in great demand for various applications. These are used as active materials with tunable optical properties. However, producing photochromic materials in significant quantities is still a challenge. The ability to retain and prolong the interconversion of switching between open and closed forms is affected by undesirable aggregation of dyes in the matrix. The often-employed method of adding photochromic dyes into bulk materials causes issues such as aggregation, leaching of dye, and photoinstability. A versatile light-responsive spiropyran substituted azo-initiator was conveniently synthesized and utilized for incorporating photochromic units at the α-chain end of the vinyl polymers. Accordingly, processes in bulk, solution, and emulsion/dispersion were developed by radical polymerization of common vinyl monomers such as styrene and acrylates. This approach enabled the preparation of light-responsive polymers possessing photochromic spiropyran units covalently incorporated at the polymer chain end. Thus, monodisperse, covalently embedded photochromic colloidal particles with low dye content (<0.1 mmol) were prepared. The fabrication and high-resolution spatiotemporal control of materials such as gels, elastomers, resins, and transparent films of commodity polymers embedded with photochromic units are demonstrated with detailed coloring, fading, and fatigue behavior. The facile and straightforward approach developed to prepare photochromic colloidal particles can be applied to any substrate through cast, dip, spray, or print to make “smart” photochromic materials.