Photochromism of Various Polymers Mixed with 9, 10-Anthraquinone

Some polymers were mixed with 9, 10-anthraquinone (AQ); their photochromism and photoreduction products were investigated by using electronic absorption. For the films that contained an ester group in a structural unit, the colors of these films when irradiated with ultraviolet ray (380 nm) have been confirmed to change from pale yellow to vermilion. The reverse color change has been observed after the irradiation with the heating from room temperature up to glass transition temperature (Tg) of the films. The absorptions appeared around 380 nm and 500 nm. After the irradiation, the absorption band at 380 nm is characteristic of anthrahydroquinone (AQH2), The broad band around 500 nm is assigned to the electron donor-acceptor (EDA) because of its characteristics. These phenomena are because of the involvement of the interactions between polymers with ester groups and AQ and AQH2.