Sunlight‐Induced Cross‐Linked Luminescent Films Based on Polysiloxanes and d‐Limonene via Thiol–ene “Click” Chemistry

Abstract

The increasing pursuit of biocontained elastic materials led the investigation of the potential use of the monoterpene limonene in film synthesis via thiol–ene reaction. Poly[(mercaptopropyl)methylsiloxane] (PMMS) is first synthesized. By controlling the molar ratio of PMMS and functional monomers, such as polyethylene glycol allyl methyl ether or rhodamine‐B, PMMS is partially functionalized while leaving spare mercapto groups that could be further used as cross‐linking sites. On the basis of the functionalized PMMS, novel transparent silicone luminescent films with hydrophilic tunable properties are prepared by natural‐sunlight‐triggered thiol–ene “click” chemistry by using d‐limonene as a cross‐linker. Their structures and properties are thoroughly characterized. Transparent luminescent films are coated on commercially available UV‐light emitting diode (LED) cell from solution medium followed by an in situ cross‐linking step; a colorful LED cell is obtained through this facile and efficient method. The UV‐LED coated by films show very intense photoluminescence under normal visible light or the light is on, and has very high coloric purity.