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Functionality via Confinement of Photo-Responsive Materials

Makowski, Brian Thomas
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1323022488

Abstract Details

2011, Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, Macromolecular Science and Engineering.
This dissertation focuses on imparting unique functionality to nano-structured architectures, such as photonic crystals and polymer colloids, via incorporation of photo-responsive materials. When the photo-responsive material is a nonlinear optical chromophore, it is possible to achieve a dynamic optical band gap that can be utilized in all-optical switching devices. Chromophores were optimized to elicit large optical nonlinearities while their physico-chemical characteristics were adapted for facile melt-infiltration into 2D macroporous silicon templates. Chromogenic, excimer-forming dyes were also studied, and were used to impart sensing ability to polymeric, spray-coatable particles. The complexation of the excimer-forming dyes was manipulated by imbibing a maximum amount of dye into the particles using a solution-based swelling/deswelling process, with the dye fluorescing in its monomer state. Exposure to chemical vapors induces particle coagulation, and an expulsion of dye, providing striking visual contrast from monomer- to excimer-based emission. Thermotropic materials were also studied which exploit the temperature-dependent refractive index difference between the matrix of a polymer composite with that of constituent polymer particles. The main goals of this dissertation were to design nonlinear optical chromophores for suitable infiltration into nano-structured architectures, to maximize the amount of photo-responsive materials that can be incorporated, and to create new functional devices based on the incorporation of photo-responsive materials into nano-structured architectures and to study their properties.
Christoph Weder, Ph.D. (Advisor)
Stuart Rowan, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
David Schiraldi, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Kenneth Singer, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
235 p.
Polymers
polymer; nonlinear optical chromphores; photonic crystals; optical sensors; thermotropic materials; opals

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Makowski, B. T. (2011). Functionality via Confinement of Photo-Responsive Materials [Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1323022488

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Makowski, Brian. Functionality via Confinement of Photo-Responsive Materials. 2011. Case Western Reserve University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1323022488.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Makowski, Brian. "Functionality via Confinement of Photo-Responsive Materials." Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University, 2011. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1323022488

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

case1323022488
746
© 2011, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Case Western Reserve University School of Graduate Studies and OhioLINK.