Preparation and XPS study of X-ray photochromic transparent BiOI/nylon11 composite film

• Published in: Applied physics. A, Materials science & processing Materials science & processing, 2011-06, Vol.103 (4), p.1059-1065
• Main Authors: Zhao, Zhijuan, Liu, Fen, Zhao, Liangzhong, Yan, Shouke
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Amides; Applied sciences; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Colors (materials); Composites; Condensed Matter Physics; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Infiltration; Irradiation; Machines; Manufacturing; Nanotechnology; Optical and Electronic Materials; Patterning; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Polymer matrix composites; Processes; Surfaces and Interfaces; Technology of polymers; Thin Films; X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy; X-rays
• ISSN: 0947-8396; 1432-0630
• DOI: 10.1007/s00339-010-6038-9

Nylon11 film immersed in BiI 3 –ethanol solution was used for in situ generation of transparent BiOI/nylon11 X-ray photochromic composite materials via integration of the hydrolyzate (BiOI) of BiI 3 into nylon11. The obtained BiOI/nylon11 composite film shows a reversible photochromic effect, changing the color from orange-red to brownish black under soft X-ray irradiation and back to orange-red after air exposure. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results show that the oxidation state of Bi atoms in BiOI/nylon11 composite film does not change before and after changing the color. Angle-resolved XPS analysis reveals that BiOI in nylon11 film is well distributed within an infiltration depth of about 10 nm. The source of the X-ray photochromic effect for transparent BiOI/nylon11 composite film may be related to oxygen as well as the interaction between BiOI and the amide groups. The oxygen AT% in the composite film decreases with increasing X-ray irradiation time. The present method for preparing transparent BiOI/nylon11 X-ray photochromic composite materials is facile and low cost. The X-ray photochromic effect has potential applications in some technology fields. For example, it can be used to create temporary patterning in a colored composite material surface.