Normal photochromism of spiropyran in montmorillonite interlayer

Spiropyran–montmorillonite hybrid materials have been fabricated by the Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) and an intercalation method. The LB method using clay minerals could be applied to fabricate hybrid ultrathin films consisting of a non-amphiphilic spiropyran. It is confirmed that hybrid LB films possess the layered structure and exhibit “normal photochromism” without any changes in the layered structure. In case of the intercalation method, hybrid compounds also possess the layered structure. Interestingly, intercalation hybrid compounds exhibit “reverse photochromism”. It is suggested that a different process in formation of the layered structure influences the observed photochromism.