Unexpected photo-liability of perylene diimides for fluorescent patterns

Perylene diimides (PDI) are known for their excellent performance and stability as dyes used in photovoltaics and optoelectronic devices. Herein we report their photo-liability in the presence of radicals. Such properties can be utilized to create light-induced fluorescent patterns and photochromic sensors. Cascade reactions are involved in the photo-induced formation of the patterns: radicals are generated from the photoinitiators (PIs) upon UV irradiation, which degrades PDI and then couples to yield new fluorophores with distinctive emissions from PDI. The process is fast and spatial-selective. Therefore, we envision the application potential of this process in the fabrication of various fluorescent materials.