Photochromism of sulfonated spiropyran in a silica matrix

Photochromic properties of sulfonated spiropyran (SP-SO3−) incorporated within a silica matrix by the sol-gel route were studied. The existence of organic anions such as p-toluene sulfonic acid (PTS), dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid (DBS) was essential for stable and reversible photochromism. In the case of View the MathML source, the most stable and reversible photochromic properties were attained among them.