Research trends in photochromism: Control of photochromism in rigid polymer matrices and other advances

Photochromism is receiving increasing attention because of its current application in high value-added ophthalmic lenses and potential applications in data storage and molecular switching. The performance of photochromic dyes, such as spirooxazines, chromenes, and diarylethenes, in polymers is important because the above applications require the dyes to be in a host polymer. The dyes can be broadly divided into P (photo) and T (thermal) types depending on the availability of a thermal decolouration route. Current research themes for the two types are presented with an emphasis on a new method of manipulating switching speeds in polymer matrices.