A novel synthetic strategy gives reversible cross-linked polymeric materials with tunable fluorescence properties. Dimaleimide-substituted tetraphenylethene (TPE-2MI), which is non-emissive owing to the photo-induced electron transfer (PET) between maleimide (MI) and tetraphenylethene (TPE) groups, was used to cross-link random copolymers of methyl (MM), decyl (DM) or lauryl (LM) methacrylate with furfuryl methacrylate (FM). The mixture of copolymer and TPE-2MI in DMF showed reversible fluorescence with "on/off" behavior depending on the Diels-Alder (DA)/retro-DA process, which is easily adjusted by temperature. At high temperatures, the retro-DA reaction is dominant, and the fluorescence is quenched by the photo-induced electron transfer (PET) mechanism. In contrast, at low temperatures, the emission recovers as the DA reaction takes over. A transparent PMFM/TPE-2MI polymer film was prepared which shows an accurate response to the external temperature and exhibited tunable fluorescent "turn on/off" behavior. These results suggest the possible application in areas including information security and transmission. An example of invisible/visible writing is given.
Keywords: Diels-Alder reaction; cross-linking-induced emission; polymers; reversible photoluminescence; temperature response.
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