Embedding photoacids into polymer opal structures: Synergistic effects on optical and stimuli-responsive features

Bitsch M, Boehm AK, Grandjean A, Jung G, Gallei M (2021)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2021

Journal

Molecules MDPI

Book Volume: 26

Article Number: 7350

Journal Issue: 23

DOI: 10.3390/molecules26237350

Abstract

Opal films with their vivid structural colors represent a field of tremendous interest and obtained materials offer the possibility for many applications, such as optical sensors or anti-counterfeiting materials. A convenient method for the generation of opal structures relies on the tailored design of core-interlayer-shell (CIS) particles. Within the present study, elastomeric opal films were combined with stimuli-responsive photoacids to further influence the optical properties of structurally colored materials. Starting from cross-linked polystyrene (PS) core particles featuring a hydroxy-rich and polar soft shell, opal films were prepared by application of the melt-shear organization technique. The photoacid tris(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl) 8-hydroxypyrene-1,3,6-trisulfonate (TFEHTS) could be conveniently incorporated during freeze-drying the particle dispersion and prior to the melt-shear organization. Furthermore, the polar opal matrix featuring hydroxylic moieties enabled excited-state proton transfer (ESPT), which is proved by spectroscopic evaluation. Finally, the influence of the photoacid on the optical properties of the 3-dimensional colloidal crystals were investigated within different experimental conditions. The angle dependence of the emission spectra unambiguously shows the selective suppression of the photoacid’s fluorescence in its deprotonated state.

Additional Organisation(s)

Sonderforschungsbereich/Transregio 306/1: Quantenkooperativität von Licht und Materie - QuCoLiMa

Related research project(s)

Mechanical and chemical control of single and multiphoton emission (C03) TRR 306: Quantenkooperativität von Licht und Materie – QuCoLiMa Jan. 1, 2021 - Dec. 31, 2024

Involved external institutions

Universität des Saarlandes (UdS) DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Bitsch, M., Boehm, A.K., Grandjean, A., Jung, G., & Gallei, M. (2021). Embedding photoacids into polymer opal structures: Synergistic effects on optical and stimuli-responsive features. Molecules, 26(23). https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/molecules26237350

MLA:

Bitsch, Martin, et al. "Embedding photoacids into polymer opal structures: Synergistic effects on optical and stimuli-responsive features." Molecules 26.23 (2021).

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