Photochrome-doped organic films for photonic keypad locks and multi-state fluorescence. Issue 30 (19th July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ritchie, Chris; Vamvounis, George; Soleimaninejad, Hamid; Smith, Trevor A.; Bieske, Evan J.; Dryza, Viktoras
• Is Part Of: Physical chemistry chemical physics. Volume 19:Issue 30(2017)
• Page Start: 19984
• Page End: 19991
• Publication Date: 2017-07-19
• Subjects: Chemistry, Physical and theoretical -- Periodicals; 541.3
• DOI: 10.1039/c7cp02818k
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1463-9076

Abstract

Abstract : PMMA polymer films doped with photochromic molecules have been prepared that can be photoswitched between three states and display novel fluorescence behavior. Abstract : The spectroscopic properties of poly(methyl methacrylate) polymer films doped with two kinds of photochromic molecular switches are investigated. A green-fluorescent sulfonyl diarylethene (P1) is combined with either a non-fluorescent diarylethene (P2) or red-fluorescent spiropyran (P3). Photoswitching between the colorless and colored isomers (P1: o-BTFO4 ↔ c-BTFO4, P2: o-DTE ↔ c-DTE, P3: SP ↔ MC) enables the P1 + P2 and P1 + P3 films to be cycled through three distinct states. From the initial state (o-BTFO4 + o-DTE/SP), irradiation with UV light generates the second state (c-BTFO4 + c-DTE/MC), where c-BTFO4 → c-DTE/MC energy transfer is established. Irradiation with green light then generates the third state (c-BTFO4 + o-DTE/SP), where the energy transfer acceptor is no longer present. Finally, irradiation with blue light regenerates the initial state. For the P1 + P2 film, only one state is fluorescent, with the irradiation inputs required to be entered in the correct order to access this state, acting as a keypad lock. For the P1 + P3 film, the states emit either no fluorescence, red fluorescence, or green fluorescence, all using a common excitation wavelength. Additionally, once the fluorescence is activated with UV light, it undergoes a time-dependent color transition from red to green, due to the pairing of P-type and T-type photochromes. These multi-photochromic systems may be useful for security ink or imaging applications.