The thesis is aimed to the study of spiropyrane behavior in polymeric matrix of poly(N-vinylkarbazole) (PVK) and poly[2-methoxy-5-(3´,7´-dimethyloctyloxy)-1,4-fenylenvinylene)] (MDMO-PPV). The photochromic transformation of spiropyrane to its isomeric merocyanine form (SPMC) was studied by absorption and emission spectroscopy. It was found, that photochromic reaction is markedly dependent on the environment. In the PVK polymer, which don’t absorb in the visible region, a high yield of photochromic reaction was achieved. Both, absorption and emission spectrums were observed for this system. From the measurement of time dependencies of the fotochromic reaction, the activation energy of the reverse reaction was determined. A different behavior, particularly in emissive spectrums, was found for the MDMO-PPV polymer doped with spiropyrane. Instead of formation of new band of merocyanine, decrease of the polymer fluorescence was observed. Subsequently, we studied the interaction between the polymeric matrix and the photochromic spiropyrane using fluorescence quenching method. On the basis of energy transfer theory, a critical radius of the fluorescence quenching sphere in solution and in solid was determined.

This thesis is focused on the photochromic molecule of spiropyran, which changes its structure as well as physical and chemical properties after UV irradiation. These changes are reversible, the molecule thermally restore its initial structure. For the study, the molecule SP1 with the systematic name 1',3'-dihydro-1',3',3'-trimethyl-6-nitrospiro[2H-1-benzopyran-2,2'-(2H)-indole] was used. This molecule was incorporated within polymers PVK, Tg PPV, PCBTDPP and PCDTBT and the method of UV-VIS spectroscopy was used to observe the photochromic activity within these matrices. The influence of matrices to the ability to undergo UV induced photochromic conversion as well as to the reverse conversion to the initial structure induced by heat was monitored. Furthermore, the influence of spiropyran to the electrical properties of individual matrices was studied. The effect of photochromic conversion to both, the mobility of charge carriers and to the photogeneration was observed. For this purpose, the method of current-voltage measurement was used.