New Photochromic Hybrid Organic–Inorganic Materials Built from Well-Defined Nano-Building Blocks

Abstract

Well-defined photochromic hybrid materials have been prepared by embedding spirooxazine dyes into matrices made of {(BuSn)12-O14(OH)6}2+ nano-building blocks assembled with α,ω-carboxymethyl poly(ethylene glycol) macromonomers (see Figure). Processed as 2–3 μm thick films, these materials exhibit fast and direct photochromism.