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Synthesis and characterization of photochromic homopolymer/copolymer
Author(s) -
Mistry Bharat B.,
Patel Ranjan G.,
Patel Vithal S.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-4628(19970502)64:5<841::aid-app3>3.0.co;2-p
Subject(s) - photochromism , spiropyran , copolymer , polymer chemistry , materials science , azobisisobutyronitrile , polymerization , thermogravimetric analysis , monomer , radical polymerization , merocyanine , polymer , chemistry , photochemistry , organic chemistry , composite material
Photochromic spiropyran homopolymer/copolymers have been prepared by radical polymerization of 5‐acrylamino‐1,3,3‐trimethylindolino‐6′‐nitro‐8′‐methoxy spiropyran using different vinyl monomers such as methylmethacrylate, methylacrylate, and styrene. The polymerization was carried out at 80°C in dimethylformamide using α,α′‐azobisisobutyronitrile as initiator. The polymers have been characterized by viscometry, gel permeation chromatography, thermogravimetric analysis, and infrared spectroscopy. The kinetics of photochromic behavior have been investigated by preparing a film of one copolymer blended with polymethylmethacrylate. This film, on exposure to sunlight or suitable wavelength, showed a very strong photochromic effect. The decoloration reaction kinetics follow a first‐order relationship. The duration for return of the color depends upon the intensity of incident light, ambient temperature, moisture content, and thermal treatment of the film. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 64: 841–848, 1997