Preparation of photochromic microcapsules with a diarylethene and polyurethane/chitosan for smart textiles

In order to overcome the influences of external environment on the properties photochromic compounds and expend their applications fields, various photochromic microcapsules have been prepared. However, the effects of wall materials on the properties of photochromic compounds need to be further studied. In this study, two photochromic microcapsules were prepared with polyurethane/chitosan as wall materials and a diarylethene molecular as core material. The properties such as photochromism, fatigue resistance, the sealing, and thermal stability of the microcapsules were studied, and the effects of the wall materials on the photochromic properties of the diarylethene were also investigated. Furthermore, the prepared microcapsules have been successfully applied to cotton fabrics of photochromic smart textiles. Two types of photochromic microcapsules were prepared using diarylethene and polyurethane/chitosan. The two microcapsules exhibited excellent photochromic properties, fatigue resistance, and sealing capabilities, and could be applied in smart textiles. [Display omitted] •Two microcapsules were prepared with a diarylethene as core material and polyurethane/chitosan as wall materials.•The two microcapsules exhibited excellent photochromic properties, fatigue resistance, and sealing capabilities.•The polyurethane microcapsule exhibited excellent photochromism on cotton fabrics and could be applied in smart textiles.