Characterization of Spirooxazine and Spiropyran Hosted in Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) for Germicidal UV Source Indicator Application

Abstract

A characterization of photophysical properties of 1,3-dihydro-1,3,3-trimethylspiro[2H-indole-2,3’-[3H]naphtha[2,1-b] [1,4]oxazine] (spirooxazine) and 1’,3’-dihydro-1’,3’,3’-trimethyl-6-nitrospiro[2H-1-benzopyran-2,2’-(2H)-indole] (spiropyran) compounds hosted in poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) was carried out. The parameters which influenced the photochromic behavior of both compounds were investigated. After ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, it was demonstrated that the temperature was the dominant factor which influenced the deactivation of both materials. For spiropyran, it was demonstrated that the process could be photo-induced with a certain wavelength which we have specified in this manuscript. It was also found that X-Ray did not affect the photo physical properties of spirooxazine and spiropyran. Finally, both materials could be used as low-cost germicidal UV indicators.