Photoresponsive Luminescent Silica Nanoparticles as Additive for 3D Printing and Electrospinning

Abstract

In this study, we present the synthesis and a versatile way to incorporate photoresponsive organic luminophores into polymeric materials using mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs). The encapsulated thioethers within the MSNs were employed in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) films, resin-based stereolithography, and electrospinning. Due to light-induced cyclisation to dibenzothiophenes (DBTs), mmOC₁₂ loaded materials were used to inscribe images using UV light. The DBTs formed from mmOC₁₂ (mmDBT_A/B) exhibit a long phosphorescence afterglow, which was investigated by steady-state and time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy. In addition, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging, including energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), revealed the well-dispersed and intact MSNs in the polymeric materials. This approach shows a general way to incorporate non-polar organic luminophores into polymeric materials while retaining their unique emission properties.