Photochromic spiropyrane/silicone composite enabling convenient detection of ultraviolet radiation in the sunlight

Abstract It is well-known that exposure to excessive ultraviolet radiation often causes skin erythema, pigmentation and even cancer. Therefore, it is very necessary to timely know UV radiation in the sunlight. Herein, a methacryloxy-functionalized spiropyran (MASP)/silicone elastomer composite (MASP/Si) with controlled photochromic behavior is developed, and thus a colorimetric card consisted of diverse colors caused by various given intensity of UV radiation is established. The photochromic behavior indicates that the photochromic MASP/Si with 0.1 wt% MASP reveals rapid UV radiation response and good fatigue resistance to alternant UV radiation and visible light. Based on the established colorimetric card, the MASP/Si can be used as a UV detector to detect repeatedly the intensity of UV radiation in the sunlight. Even after storage at ambient for nearly one year or 50 times distortion, the MASP/Si still can well detect the UV radiation.