Dye-matrix interactions in sol-gel-derived hybrid organic-inorganic nanocomposites

Several dyes such as a spiropyran, a spirooxazine and two tetraarylporphyrins have been incorporated inside hybrid organic-inorganic matrices synthesized through the acid hydrolysis of dimethyldiethoxysilane and zirconium n- propoxide. These matrices are nanocomposites with well defined hydrophilic (zirconium oxopolymer nodules) and hydrophobic (polydimethylsiloxane chains) domains. As a consequence, they are good candidates to investigate dye-matrix interactions in matrices containing transition metal. These interactions are shown to occur through hydrogen bonds, covalent bonds or Lewis acid-base type bonds. They strongly modify the optical response of the dyes (absorption-emission spectra, lifetime, kinetics...).© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.