Characterization of Spirooxazine and Spiropyran Hosted in Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) for Germicidal UV Source Indicator Application

A characterization of photophysical properties of 1,3-dihydro-1,3,3-trimethylspiro[2H-indole-2,3’-[3H]naphtha[2,1-b] [1,4]oxazine] (spirooxazine) and 1’,3’-dihydro-1’,3’,3’-trimethyl-6-nitrospiro[2H-1-benzopyran-2,2’-(2H)-indole] (spi- ropyran) compounds hosted in poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) was carried out. The parameters which influenced the photochromic behavior of both compounds were investigated. After ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, it was demon- strated that the temperature was the dominant factor which influenced the deactivation of both materials. For spiropyran, it was demonstrated that the process could be photo-induced with a certain wavelength which we have specified in this manuscript. It was also found that X-Ray did not affect the photo physical properties of spirooxazine and spiropyran. Finally, both materials could be used as low-cost germicidal UV indicators.