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), mm OC 12 loaded materials were used to inscribe images using UV light. The DBTs formed from mm OC 12 ( mm DBT 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.