Azocarbazole ethyl acrylate (AzoCzEA) and spiropyran ethyl acrylate (SPEA) chromophores were copolymerized with methyl methacrylate through seeded emulsion polymerization to obtain photoswitchable dual-color fluorescent polymer particles. The proposed strategy introduces spectacular advantages on incorporation of the desired values of hydrophobic AzoCzEA and hydrophilic SPEA to the polymer backbone in a one-pot two-step polymerization reaction that was a serious restriction before.Particle size and size distribution of dual-color particles have been studied by SEM and DLS analyses and it was found that particles size shows an increasing trend with the increase in SPEA concentration, and consequently enhances undesired light scattering.
Volume 88, March 2017, Pages 56–66