Photomechanical Organic Crystals as Smart Materials for Advanced Applications. Issue 22 (12th February 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yu, Qi; Aguila, Briana; Gao, Jia; Xu, Peixin; Chen, Qizhe; Yan, Jie; Xing, Dong; Chen, Yao; Cheng, Peng; Zhang, Zhenjie; Ma, Shengqian
• Is Part Of: Chemistry. Volume 25:Issue 22(2019)
• Page Start: 5611
• Page End: 5622
• Publication Date: 2019-02-12
• Subjects: crystal engineering -- molecular machines -- photochemistry -- photochromism -- X-ray diffraction; Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540
• DOI: 10.1002/chem.201805382
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0947-6539

Abstract

Abstract: Photomechanical molecular crystals are receiving much attention due to their efficient conversion of light into mechanical work and advantages including faster response time; higher Young's modulus; and ordered structure, as measured by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Recently, various photomechanical crystals with different motions (contraction, expansion, bending, fragmentation, hopping, curling, and twisting) are appearing at the forefront of smart materials research. The photomechanical motions of these single crystals during irradiation are triggered by solid‐state photochemical reactions and accompanied by phase transformation. This Minireview summarizes recent developments in growing research into photoresponsive molecular crystals. The basic mechanisms of different kinds of photomechanical materials are described in detail; recent advances in photomechanical crystals for promising applications as smart materials are also highlighted. Abstract : Going through the motions : Photomechanical molecular crystals receive much attention due to their efficient conversion of light into mechanical work, as well as faster response time, higher Young's modulus, and ordered structure (see figure). Recent developments in growing research into photoresponsive molecular crystals is summarized.