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Embedding Photoacids into Polymer Opal Structures: Synergistic Effects on Optical and Stimuli-Responsive Features
Martin Bitsch1, Anna Katharina Boehm1, Alexander Grandjean2
1Polymer Chemistry, Saarland University, Campus Saarbrücken C4 2, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany.
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
|December 10, 2021
Summary
This study integrates photoacids into elastomeric opal films, creating stimuli-responsive structural colors. The photoacid
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Optics
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Opal films exhibit vibrant structural colors with applications in optical sensors and anti-counterfeiting.
- Core-interlayer-shell (CIS) particle design is a key method for creating opal structures.
- Stimuli-responsive materials offer tunable optical properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To combine elastomeric opal films with photoacids to create stimuli-responsive structural colors.
- To investigate the influence of a photoacid on the optical properties of 3D colloidal crystals.
- To demonstrate the selective suppression of photoacid fluorescence based on its deprotonated state.
Main Methods:
- Preparation of elastomeric opal films using melt-shear organization of core-interlayer-shell (CIS) particles.
- Incorporation of the photoacid tris(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl) 8-hydroxypyrene-1,3,6-trisulfonate (TFEHTS) via freeze-drying.
- Spectroscopic evaluation to confirm excited-state proton transfer (ESPT) in the polar opal matrix.
- Investigation of angle-dependent emission spectra to analyze photoacid influence.
Main Results:
- Elastomeric opal films with incorporated photoacid (TFEHTS) were successfully fabricated.
- The polar opal matrix facilitated excited-state proton transfer (ESPT), confirmed spectroscopically.
- Angle-dependent emission spectra demonstrated selective suppression of TFEHTS fluorescence in its deprotonated state.
Conclusions:
- The integration of photoacids into elastomeric opal films enables tunable structural colors.
- Stimuli-responsive behavior, specifically fluorescence suppression, can be achieved through ESPT.
- These findings open avenues for advanced optical sensors and anti-counterfeiting technologies.
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