Novel photosensitive polyurethanes based on photochromic dithienylethene monomers: Synthesis, characterization and photophysical properties of a new film-building material for photonic applications

Abstract

The synthesis of a novel photochromic dithienylethene-based polyurethane and its characterization by optical spectroscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy are presented. This linear polyurethane builds up perfect free-standing films suited for photonic applications. Moreover it may be extruded to long mechanically stable fibers. The photochromic reactions of the polyurethane, as being the electrocyclic ring-closure and ring-opening reactions of the dithienylethene unit in the polymer backbone, occur in a completely reversible and highly efficient fashion.