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A Simple Mechanochromic Mechanophore Based on Aminothiomaleimide
Min Tan1, Zhitao Hu1, Yunkai Dai1
1School of Materials Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory for Polymeric Composite and Functional Materials of Ministry of Education, Research Center for Functional Biomaterials Engineering and Technology Guangdong, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
ACS Macro Letters
|May 13, 2022
Summary
A novel aminothiomaleimide (ATM) mechanophore exhibits mechanofluorochromism, changing color under stress. This discovery paves the way for advanced mechanochromic polymer materials for sensing applications.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Spectroscopy
Background:
- Mechanochromic mechanophores are crucial for stress sensing and damage detection in materials.
- Aminothiomaleimide (ATM) is explored as a novel functional group for mechanophore development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize a new mechanofluorochromic mechanophore based on aminothiomaleimide (ATM).
- To investigate the mechanofluorochromic properties of ATM within a polymer matrix.
Main Methods:
- Atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) was used to synthesize poly(methyl acrylate) (ATM-PMA) incorporating the ATM mechanophore.
- Ultrasonication was applied to induce mechanical stress.
- Size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and fluorescence spectroscopy were used to analyze changes.
Main Results:
- The molecular weight of ATM-PMA decreased significantly upon ultrasonication.
- A distinct shift in fluorescence emission from yellow to blue was observed, indicating mechanofluorochromism.
- The ATM mechanophore demonstrated responsiveness to mechanical force.
Conclusions:
- A simple ATM-based mechanophore was successfully synthesized and demonstrated effective mechanofluorochromism.
- The developed ATM-PMA shows significant potential for creating advanced mechanochromic polymer materials.
- This research highlights the utility of ATM in developing novel stress-sensing materials.
