| Reactions that occur by utilizing photons of light as a reagent can be seen as one of the most benign processes available. Unfortunately, the synthetic methodologies available to prepare materials capable of undergoing these types of reactions suffer the same challenges as any other synthetic sequence from a Green Chemistry perspective. This dissertation will discuss three types of photomaterials: titanium dioxide semi-conductors, bioinspired photopolymers and spiropyran molecules. Low temperature processes for preparing titanium dioxide semi-conductor films have been developed along with a novel solid grinding technique using organic acids as viscosity modifiers. Thymine based photoresist polymers have been studied, along with an alternative cinnamate polymer system for a number of application purposes. Spiropyran molecules were synthesized for their application in dye-sensitized solar cells and as a photochemical trigger for other applications. All three research projects have regions of overlap and all are within the scope of Green Chemistry. The design and synthesis of materials and examples of their practical applications are discussed. |
