Design and synthesis of polydiacetylenes, and their low temperature irreversible thermochromic properties

Abstract

A thermochromic material that show irreversible color change at or below freezing temperatures has potential utility as a temperature indicator for frozen food and meat products, therefore, the goods transporters and customers would easily recognize when the goods exposed to high temperatures during their storage and delivery. In this study, we have successfully synthesized and used polydiacetylenes functionalized with glycol ester groups as a thermochromic dye, which show irreversible thermochromic behavior at below freezing temperatures. The photochromic and thermochromic properties of diacetylenes were investigated in the solid state, and color-transition temperatures for poly(DCDA-EGME), poly(DCDA-DGME) and poly(DCDA-TGME) were found to be 2, −10 and −16 °C, respectively. Moreover, we prepared a paper test strip and used as a warning indicator for deep freeze products.