Dye microenvironment
An optimized photochromic dye microenvironment isolated from and dispersed within a distinct host phase.
1. A photochromic layer consisting of:
a host phase adhesive; and
a dispersed phase particle distributed within the host phase adhesive comprising a photochromic dye immediately surrounded within a dye microenvironment distinct from the host phase adhesive, the dye microenvironment consisting of non-covalent interaction between the photochromic dye and a component selected to control an intensity of a color response of the photochromic dye.
2. The photochromic layer of claim 1 wherein the dispersed phase particle comprises an outer shell distinct from the dye microenvironment.
3. The photochromic layer of claim 1 wherein the dye microenvironment comprises an additive containing a polar structure.
4. The photochromic layer of claim 1 wherein the host phase adhesive comprises a dye distinct from the photochromic dye of the dispersed phase particle.
5. The photochromic layer of claim 1 wherein the dye microenvironment comprises a solvent type modifier.
6. The photochromic layer of claim 1 wherein the host phase adhesive comprises a photochromic dye that is the same as the photochromic dye of the dispersed phase particle.
7. The photochromic layer of claim 1 wherein the dye microenvironment further comprises a component selected to control hydrogen bonding or dipole-dipole interaction of the photochromic dye with the dye microenvironment to control an activation rate of the photochromic dye.
8. The photochromic layer of claim 1 wherein the dye microenvironment further comprises a glass transition temperature of the dye microenvironment that controls an activation rate of the photochromic dye.
9. A photochromic layer consisting of:
an adhesive host matrix; and
a dispersed phase particle distributed within the adhesive host matrix comprising a photochromic molecule surrounded by a dye matrix distinct from the adhesive host matrix, the dye matrix consisting of non-covalent interaction between the photochromic molecule and a component immediately surrounding the photochromic molecule that interacts with the photochromic molecule to control an intensity of a color of the activated form of the photochromic molecule.
10. The photochromic layer of claim 9 wherein the adhesive host matrix comprises a coating.
11. The photochromic layer of claim 9 wherein the adhesive host matrix comprises a curable transparent resin.
12. The photochromic layer of claim 9 wherein the dispersed phase particle is insoluble in the adhesive host matrix.
13. The photochromic layer of claim 9 wherein a glass transition temperature of the adhesive host matrix is higher than a glass transition temperature of the dye matrix.
14. The photochromic layer of claim 9 wherein a glass transition temperature of the adhesive host matrix is lower than a glass transition temperature of the dye matrix.
15. The photochromic layer of claim 9 wherein the photochromic dye comprises a naphthopyran.
16. The photochromic layer of claim 9 wherein the dispersed phase particle comprises a polymeric outer shell distinct from the adhesive host matrix and the dye matrix.
17. The photochromic layer of claim 9 wherein the adhesive host matrix comprises a dye distinct from the photochromic molecule of the dispersed phase particle.
18. The photochromic layer of claim 9 wherein the component immediately surrounding the photochromic molecule comprises a solvent type modifier.
19. The photochromic layer of claim 9 wherein the component immediately surrounding the photochromic molecule comprises an additive containing a polar structure.