Introduction

Energy conversion from electricity to light is indispensable to our lives because we cannot live by sunshine alone. There have been many reports of fires causing lighting appliances. Overheating of incandescent light bulbs causes flammable materials to ignite [1,2], fluorescent lamp (having mercury issue [3]) fixtures have deteriorated in their sockets, electrical stabilizers have ignited electricity, and conventional fluorescent light fixtures have LED bulbs attached to them [4]. Of course, the new method has advantages such as energy saving and environmental aspects. On the other hand, for the conversion of energy from light to electricity, practical use and research and development of solar cells are progressing. However, there is a problem that the new artificial light source does not work, and it may not be possible to use it in a scene where sunlight cannot be obtained (for example, a calculator under a fluorescent lamp). Therefore, as an example of testing the possibility of replacing the light source, a model experiment was performed using azobenzene (AZ), which is a typical photochromic dye [5].

Discussion

Test samples was prepared by mixing of 1 mL of AZ (0.05 mM) and PMMA (10% w/w) DMF solutions (0.05 mM) and casting on glass slides at 50℃ to form sample films ((1a-1c) trans-AZ with random orientation). Linearly polarized UV light (generated by Xe lamp and filtered only for < 450 nm) was irradiated to them for 20 min ((2a-2c) cis-AZ aligned in anisotropic orientation). Polarized electronic spectra were measured before (2a-2c) and after visible light ((3a) fluorescent lamp (Figure 1), (3b) solar sunlight, and (3c) natural (unpolarized) halogen lamps filtered only for >400 nm) irradiation for 20 min and compared with two parameters, S = (A_parrallel - A_{perpendicular}) / (2A_{perpendicular} + A_parrallel) and R = A_{perpendicular} / A_parrallel where A_{perpendicular} and A_parrallel are absorbance at polarizer perpendicular to or parallel to the electronic vector of polarized light for irradiation. Ideally isotropic samples exhibit S = 0 and R = 1 [6].

Figure 1: Polarized electronic spectra of initial state (1a), after UV light 20 min irradiation (2a), and after visible light of fluorescent lamp for 20 minirradiation (3a).

As listed in Table 1, linearly polarized UV light induced optical anisotropy and each visible light reduced optical anisotropy. At the same time, the absorbance of π-π* bands around 320 nm predominantly decreased by photoisomerization of AZ to the cis-form. Each visible light irradiation resulted in photoisomerization to the trans-form (Figure 2), in which both fluorescent light and sunlight indicated strong visible light aspect as well as the visible light generated by the Xe lamp regardless of the spectra of light (Figure 3).

Table 1: The Rand S values measured at 320 nm (π-π* bands). 

Figure 2: Polarizer’s angler dependence of absorbance of polarized electronic spectra.

Figure 3: Spectra of light [left] fluorescent lamp for 3a, [middle] UV light generated byhalogen lamp for 2a-2c, and [right]visible light generated by Xe lamp for 3c.

Conclusion

In summary, the tested samples were fabricated and irradiated with visible light by fluorescent light, sunlight or Xe lamp, the anisotropy of molecular orientation was reduced due to photoisomerization, and reversibility of absorbance at 320 nm was also confirmed for all cases. Both fluorescent light with some spikes and sunlight of white light have properties as visible light strongly. Except for electric accidents, we hope that the characteristics of energy conversion from electricity to light and heat will be utilized to the lighting to prevent fire at least caused by heat.

References

1. http://www.nhk.or.jp/kaisetsu-blog/700/264318.html
2. https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXLASDG21HIF_S6A221C1CR0000/
3. What is the 2020 issue of lighting?
4. https://3s-optech.com/blog/2019/04/20/14654/
5. Natansohn A and Rochon R (2002) Photoinduced Motions in Azo-Containing Polymers. Chem Rev 102: 4139-4176.
6. Akitsu T, Yamazaki A, Kobayashi K, Haraguchi T and Endo K (2018) Computational treatments of hybrid dye materials of azobenzene and chiral schiff base etal complexes. Inorganics 6: 37.

Corresponding author

Takashiro Akitsu, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Tokyo University of Science. 1-3 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8601, Japan, E-mail: akitsu2@rs.tus.ac.jp   

Citation

Akitsu T, Mitani Y. Potential fire hazard and photochemical tests of azobenzene of several lightning sources (2020) Edelweiss Chem Sci J 3: 6-7.

Keywords

Azobenzene, Fluorescent lamp, Sunlight, Lighting source, Fire.