Open AccessFade-resistant photochromic reactions in a self-healable polymer
Author(s) -
Mitsunori Saito,
Tatsuya Nishimura,
Takamasa Hamazaki
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.23.025523
Subject(s) - photochromism , materials science , polymer , polydimethylsiloxane , diffusion , irradiation , thermal diffusivity , diarylethene , photochemistry , optics , chemical engineering , composite material , chemistry , nanotechnology , thermodynamics , physics , nuclear physics , engineering
Molecular diffusion in a polymer matrix was studied to prevent degradation of photochromic reactions during repeated coloration-decoloration processes. Photochromic diarylethene was dispersed in polydimethylsiloxane (cured polymer), since it promoted exchange of damaged and fresh molecules owing to high diffusivity. The diffusion coefficient was evaluated by measuring a distribution of dye molecules that were colored within a narrow laser beam path. Temporal change of the distribution fitted well to theoretical curves that were drawn according to the 2-D solutions of Fick's equation. The experimental results indicated a fifteen-fold enhancement of the diffusion coefficient (0.0015 mm(2)/s) when the polymer was swollen with toluene. Fading of this photochromic polymer was examined by repeating alternative irradiation of violet and green laser beams. Although a non-swollen polymer faded seriously within 1,000 photochromic cycles, a swollen polymer exhibited an excellent photochromic function even after 30,000 cycles.