The effects of organic additives on photochromism. Part I: the photochromic performance of (E)‐dicyclopropylmethylene‐(2,5‐dimethyl‐3‐furylethylidene)‐succinic anhydride and ferrocene containing dye doped in PMMA polymer film

Abstract

PurposeTo evaluate the photochromic performance of fulgide 1‐E with ferrocene in polymer matrices.Design/methodology/approachThe fulgide 1‐E with ferrocene dye 2 doped in polymethylmethacrylate was prepared and the effects of UV irradiation were studied using spectrophotometer. The reversible reaction was effected using white light. The effect of heat was also determined.FindingsA film of the brown coloured fulgide 1‐E with ferrocene doped in PMMA polymer was irradiated with ultraviolet light (365 nm), the film turned red. The later colour was partially switched back to the original brown colour when the film was irradiated with a white light. It was found that the rate constants of photocoloration reaction at initial stages are faster than those at late stages. Similarly, the photocoloration reaction was slower than the photobleaching reaction. Photocoloration reaction decreased with the increase of the annealing temperatures, but for photobleaching reaction, the rates were almost similar (at 46 and 82°C). The fatigue resistance of the film was greatly improved when the annealing temperature increased to 82°C.Research limitations/implicationsThe polymethylmethacrylate polymer doped photochromic fulgide 1‐E and ferrocene 2 described in the present paper was prepared and studied. The principle of study established can be applied to any type of polymer or to any type of photochromic compounds.Practical implicationsThe photochromic materials developed can be used for different applications, such as coatings and holography.Originality/valueThe method developed may be used to enhance the performance of photochromic materials.