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

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.

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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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