Transient Photodegradability of Photostable Gel Induced by Simultaneous Treatment with Acid and UV–Light for Phototuning of Optically Functional Materials
Go M. Russell, Takashi Kaneko, Saqura Ishino, Hiroshi Masai, Jun Terao
Abstract
Abstract Although photodegradability is promising for on‐demand tuning of material properties, phototuned materials cannot be utilized under ambient light irradiation owing to their photoinstability. Herein, a novel photostable gel that photodegrades only in the presence of an acid is fabricated. The unique reactivity of a supramolecular platinum‐acetylide complex is uncovered to incorporate into poly(methyl methacrylate) gel as the cross‐linker to exhibit softening and swelling under simultaneous treatment with UV‐light and acid. Conversely, when the acid is removed, the gel reacquires its photostability. A cross‐linker amount of only 0.7 wt.% is sufficient to realize the material property. Notably, the unique cross‐linkers, which change phosphorescence to fluorescence via photocleaving of PtC bonds, enable a photoprocess of optical functions. The controllable optical properties can be applied to information hiding technology and in visualizing the locally modified elasticity of the material, because of the photostability in absence of the acid.