Investigation of spiropyrans and merocyanines in mixed thin films with long chain alkyl silanes: Towards a command surface for liquid crystal realignment

Spiropyran derivatives containing a variable-length linking chain and either tri- or mono-alkoxy silane end groups were synthesized. Glass slides were deposited with mixed thin films of the spiropyran compounds and either octadecyltrimethoxysilane or octadecyldimethylmethoxysilane. The photochemistry of the spiropyran in the thin films was characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy. Irradiation of the films causes the formation of the open form of the spiropyran, which can be detected by absorption spectroscopy. The rate of the thermal reaction from the open (merocyanine) to the closed form of the spiropyran was measured, and shows no dependence on the length of the spiropyran molecule, though the rate is much closer to that found for spiropyran molecules doped into polymers than in solution. Sessile drop contact angle measurements show a decrease from 70 $\pm$ 3 degrees to 63 $\pm$ 2 degrees for films prepared from the trialkoxy silanes upon irradiation with UV light. Evaluation of this system as a surface to control the realignment of the nematic liquid crystal K-15 proved unsuccessful, though the surface energy of the systems can be changed solely by irradiation with light.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Chemistry

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2011

Author dc:creator

• Galvin, Jennifer Marie

Contributors dc:contributor

• Schuster, Gary B.

• Chemistry, Organic
• Physics, Condensed Matter

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 1996 Galvin, Jennifer Marie

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

9780591198157
AAI9712275
(UMI)AAI9712275

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/20043