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Photo-switchable spiropyran composites via liquid-assisted grinding method for multilevel information encryption
Yuanyuan Zi1, Yangyang Gao1, Jingzhi Wang1
1School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China.
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science
|December 13, 2025
Summary
This study introduces a new method for creating photochromic materials using hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks (HOFs) and spiropyran (SP) derivatives. A 1:2 ratio of H3TATB to SP optimizes color change, enabling applications like information encryption.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Supramolecular Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
Background:
- Hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks (HOFs) offer potential for enhancing solid-state photochromism in spiropyran (SP) compounds.
- Conventional physical adsorption methods for integrating SP into HOFs face challenges with procedural complexity and host-guest size compatibility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a simplified and effective ligand-integration strategy for synthesizing robust photochromic HOF-SP composites.
- To optimize the ratio of H3TATB to SP derivatives for enhanced photochromic performance and explore the role of intermolecular interactions.
Main Methods:
- A ligand-integration strategy combining 2,4,6-tris(4-carboxyphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine (H3TATB) with SP derivatives.
- Synthesis via straightforward liquid-assisted grinding (LAG) and solvent evaporation techniques.
- Systematic variation of H3TATB to SP molar ratios and examination of different SP derivatives.
Main Results:
- A 1:2 molar ratio of H3TATB to SP derivatives was found to maximize intermolecular interactions, yielding optimal photochromic performance (rapid white-to-deep purple transition under UV light).
- Deviations from the optimal ratio led to reduced synergistic effects due to excessive HOF self-assembly and physical adsorption of SP.
- The crucial role of SP derivatives in determining photochromic efficiency was confirmed, and the composite showed practical utility in information encryption.
Conclusions:
- The ligand-integration strategy offers a simplified, reproducible synthesis process, overcoming pore-size mismatch issues inherent in physical adsorption methods.
- This approach enables stable and homogeneous integration of SP into HOFs, leading to significantly improved photochromic properties.
- The developed photochromic composites demonstrate potential for advanced applications, including secure information encryption.
