Synthesis and properties of novel photochromic poly(methyl methacrylate-co-diarylethene)s

Abstract

Novel poly(methyl methacrylate)s substituted with photochromic diarylethenes as the main backbone or pendant functional groups were prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), using methyl methacrylate and 5,5′-dihydroxymethyl substituted dithienylethene as the monomers. The concentration of diarylethene in the poly(methyl methacrylate-co-diarylethene)s can be regulated by controlling the polymerization conditions. The resulting photochromic copolymers exhibit good photochromic properties, good fluorescence, easy film-forming performance, and outstanding thermal properties.