Intercalation and Photochromism of Monocationic Diarylethenes Incorporated in Clay Layer Surfaces

ABSTRACT

The intercalation of the colorless open ( 1O ) and the blue-colored closed forms ( 1C ) of monocationic diarylethene into cation exchange clays and the photochromic reversibility of these hybrid materials was investigated. Both the 1O /clay and 1C /clay hybrid powders exhibited reversible color changes upon alternative irradiation of UV and visible light, however, the photochromic durability was found to be strongly influenced by the form upon intercalation, i.e., open or closed, as well as by the coverage degrees. The blue-colored, closed 1C /clay was found to exhibit higher photochromic durability than the 1O /clay.

Keywords:

• photochromism
• diarylethenes
• cations exchange clays
• hybrid materials

Acknowledgments

This work was partly supported by a Grant-in aid for Scientific Research on Priority Areas (417) of the MEXT of Japan. We would like to express our gratitude for their support. Thanks are also extended to CREST of JST for their strong support.