Light- and heat-triggered reversible luminescent materials based on polysiloxanes with anthracene groups

Abstract

In this study, reversible silicone elastomers were successfully developed by light-triggered dimerization and heat depolymerization of the anthryl groups. Polysiloxanes with anthryl groups were prepared from poly(aminopropylmethylsiloxane) (PAPMS) with electron-donating (9-anthracenylmethyl acrylate) and electron-withdrawing (anthracene-9-carboxylic acid) units. The cross-linking networks were formed with the via 4π–4π photo-cycloadditions of the anthryl groups upon the UV light excitation (365 nm). 9-Anthracenylmethyl acrylate or anthracene-9-carboxylic acid efficiently dimerized through the photodimerization of the anthryl groups in the organic solvents, which was proven by UV-vis spectra, NMR spectra, and LC/MS. The covalent bonds between pendant anthryl groups were cleaved after heating at 120 °C. Furthermore, repeatable dimerization–depolymerization conversion was confirmed. In addition, for the first time, we found that the sunlight can also initiate the cycloaddition, which was “greener” and more environment-friendly. The green luminescence was observed from the PAPMS-1 film instead of the quenching effect caused by aggregation after the cycloaddition. Thus, a colorful UV-light emitting diode (LED) cell was obtained by coating the films on the commercially available LED cell.