Polyaniline-poly(vinyl alcohol) composite as an optical recording material

Conducting polymer image and diffraction grating pattern were recorded in dichromated poly(vinyl alcohol) (DCPVA) films by visible light exposure, in a process resembling photolithography. Aniline, used as a chemical developer, polymerized into the unexposed areas of the DCPVA matrix, yielding a composite material which allowed permanent optical information storage and exhibited optical properties characteristic of polyaniline. The photoreduction properties of the DCPVA films and the optical properties of the composite were studied by UV–VIS spectroscopy. The characterization of the diffraction grating composite gave a line width of 12.15 μm and a diffraction efficiency of 32%.