The matrix effect on the thermal reactions of spirooxazine in polymer matrices

Abstract

The matrix effect on the thermal reactions of photochromic spirooxazine in polymers was investigated from the view points of reaction kinetics. Three matrix polymers, poly(n-butyl methacrylate), poly(isopropyl methacrylate), and poly(ethyl methacrylate) which possesed different Tg were used. Below Tg of plymer films, the thermal reactions did not proceed in a first-order kinetics and were found to be described with dispersive processes in glassy solids. The thermal reactions were influenced by molecular environments around the photochromic compounds. From the comparison of the rates of the thermal reactions in polymer matrices with those in solutions, the acceleration of the thermal reactions in solid states due to internal strains was found. © 1990, The Society of Polymer Science, Japan. All rights reserved.