Study on fluorescent switching of naphthopyran and pyrene-containing dyad and copolymer in solutions and films

• The fluorescent photoswitchings based on naphthopyran and pyrene were designed and prepared.
• The properties of fluorescent switching were investigated in THF solution and PMMA film.
• The polymeric fluorescent switching displayed better switching performance than that of organic dyad.
• Pyrene molecules can form excimers in the synthesized polymer molecules.
• Photoinduced energy transfer is responsible for the modulation of fluorescence emission.

The fluorescent photo-switching systems were prepared based on fluorescent pyrene and photochromic naphthopyran in the forms of organic dyad and copolymer. Naphthopyran in two systems displayed excellent photochromic performance, especially in tetrahydrofuran solution. The fluorescent emission was modulated between “on” and “off” via the photoisomerization of naphthopyran in high-degree, especially in polymer (>90%) due to the photoinduced energy transfer from pyrene excimers to the open-form naphthopyran. Both the fluorescence photoswitching and the photochromism of polymer in solution displayed excellent fatigue resistance. The fluorescent image shows the patterned irradiation of the polymer-doped polymethylmethacrylate film can be recorded by fluorescent pattern on the sample. The non-destructive readout ability of polymer-doped polymethylmethacrylate film was achieved.

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