Reversible thermochromic polymer film embedded with fluorescent organogel nanofibers

We report a reversible thermochromic nanocomposite polymer film composed of fluorescent organogel fibers and a highly cross-linked polymer matrix. A series of cyano-substituted oligo(p-phenylenevinylene) (CN-OPV) derivatives were synthesized by the reaction of dialdehydes with phenyl or naphthyl acetonitrile under basic conditions. Among the CN-OPV derivatives, NA-DBA having naphtyl moieties and dodecyloxy chains formed a stable organogel in a cross-linkable monomeric solvent (ethylene glycol dimethacrylate). The organogel showed a thermoreversible sol-gel transition, accompanying the emission color change. A nanocomposite polymer film obtained by photopolymerization of the organogel between two quartz plates also exhibited reversible thermochromism. Under 365 nm irradiation, the orange color of the film at 25 °C became yellowish green at 120 °C. The fluorescence spectroscopy, DSC, and microscopy results determined that the thermally reversible self-assembly of NA-DBA occurred in the polymer matrix, resulting in reversible thermochromism. The melted gelator molecules at 120 °C did not diffuse into the polymer matrix probably because of poor interactions of the gelator molecules with the polymer matrix. The NA-DBA molecules dispersed in poly(methyl methacrylate), without forming a supramolecular structure, did not show thermochromism.