Journal Article

Optical switching of a photochromic bis-phenylazo compound in PMMA films

Bertolotti, Mario, Scalora, Michael, Larciprete, Maria Cristina, Dini, Danilo, Cappeddu, Mirko, Ostuni, Raffaella, Gomez-Bombarelli, Rafael, Alvarez-Mico, Xavier, Sibilia, Concita, Bloemer, Mark J

2007

Overview

We present our results on a newly synthesized bis-phenylazo derivative, namely bisperfluoroalkylsulfonylamino- arylazomethylene-triphenyl-phosphorane (BAM-TPP). Thin films of BAM-TPP in polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) matrix were prepared. The films (thickness, d < 60 μm) were exposed to UV-vis light with variable intensity in order to stimulate the photochromic reaction of BAM-TPP. The resulting absorption changes of the BAM-TPP/PMMA films were investigated by spectrophotometry. The absorption spectra reveal that BAM-TPP molecules in PMMA undergo photoisomerization with resulting decrease of absorbance in the range 500–700 nm. Finally, the time response of film transmittance at 514 nm under increasing CW light intensity was recorded, showing that the reverse photochromic process brings the absorbance back to its pristine value. The obtained films thus proved to be suitable for optical switching applications.

• Publisher: Kluwer Academic Publishers-Plenum Publishers,Springer,Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Absorbance / absorption / Absorption spectra / Applied sciences / Derivatives / Electrical, magnetic and optical properties / Exact sciences and technology / Film thickness / light intensity / Luminous intensity / Materials science / Optical switching / Organic polymers / Photochromism / Physicochemistry of polymers / Polymethyl methacrylate / Polymethyl methacrylates / polymethylmethacrylate / Properties and characterization / Spectrophotometry / spectroscopy / Thickness / Thin films / Time response / Transmittance