Abstract: A method of making a smart optical material (SOM) including mixing polypropylene in a solvent to form a first solution. The method further includes mixing a zinc salt in 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and heating it to form a second solution. The method further includes mixing rhodamine B and a peroxide into the second solution to form a third solution. The method further includes mixing the third solution into the first solution to form a reaction solution, wherein the peroxide initiates polymerization of the 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate to form poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate). The method further includes separating the SOM from the reaction solution. The SOM has at least two bandgaps, a first bandgap is from 1.4-1.5 eV, and a second bandgap is from 1.8-1.9 eV.

Abstract: A method of making a smart optical material (SOM) including mixing polypropylene in a solvent to form a first solution. The method further includes mixing a zinc salt in 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and heating it to form a second solution. The method further includes mixing rhodamine B and a peroxide into the second solution to form a third solution. The method further includes mixing the third solution into the first solution to form a reaction solution, wherein the peroxide initiates polymerization of the 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate to form poly (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate). The method further includes separating the SOM from the reaction solution. The SOM has at least two bandgaps, a first bandgap is from 1.4-1.5 eV, and a second bandgap is from 1.8-1.9 eV.

Abstract: A method of making a smart optical material (SOM) including mixing polypropylene in a solvent to form a first solution. The method further includes mixing a zinc salt in 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and heating it to form a second solution. The method further includes mixing rhodamine B and a peroxide into the second solution to form a third solution. The method further includes mixing the third solution into the first solution to form a reaction solution, wherein the peroxide initiates polymerization of the 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate to form poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate). The method further includes separating the SOM from the reaction solution. The SOM has at least two bandgaps, a first bandgap is from 1.4-1.5 eV, and a second bandgap is from 1.8-1.9 eV.