Solvent Swelling Activation of a Mechanophore in a Polymer Network

A spiropyran mechanophore (force-sensitive molecule), which is fluorescent in its mechanically activated state, is used to investigate swelling-induced mechanochemistry in cross-linked poly(methyl methacrylate). The spiropyran is incorporated as a cross-linker. A correlation is observed between solv...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Macromolecules 2014-04, Vol.47 (8), p.2690-2694
Main Authors: Lee, Corissa K, Diesendruck, Charles E, Lu, Enjiong, Pickett, Austin N, May, Preston A, Moore, Jeffrey S, Braun, Paul V
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Exact sciences and technology
Miscellaneous
Organic polymers
Physicochemistry of polymers
Properties and characterization
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:A spiropyran mechanophore (force-sensitive molecule), which is fluorescent in its mechanically activated state, is used to investigate swelling-induced mechanochemistry in cross-linked poly(methyl methacrylate). The spiropyran is incorporated as a cross-linker. A correlation is observed between solvent-induced polymer swelling and fluorescence intensity, suggesting that the forces during swelling are sufficient to drive the electrocyclic ring-opening of spiropyran to its colored and fluorescent merocyanine form. Control experiments and solvatochromic studies validate that activation is indeed due to swelling-induced mechanical forces and not solvent effects. Systematic studies varying solvents and cross-linking densities provide insight into how altering swelling parameters influences the mechanophore response at the molecular level.
ISSN:0024-9297
1520-5835
DOI:10.1021/ma500195h