Preparation and photochromic properties of ultra-fine H3PW11MoO40/PVA fibre mats

Novel photochromic materials, H3PW11MoO40/Poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) ultra-fine fibre mats containing different weight percentages of H3PW11MoO40, have been prepared from different H3PW11MoO40/PVA solutions by an electrospinning technique. IR spectroscopy, wide-angle x-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscope spectroscopy are used to characterize the fibre mats. Results of viscosity and conductivity measurements of the solutions indicate that lower viscosity and higher conductivity favour the formation of thin fibres without beads. When irradiated with ultraviolet light (313.2 nm), the colour of the fibre mats changes from white to blue, and the mats show reversible photochromism. IR and ESR spectra of the irradiated fibre mats indicate a conceivable photochromic mechanism, i.e. MoVI is reduced under ultraviolet irradiation. Meanwhile, PVA is oxidized to unsaturated ketone or aldehyde