Photochromic luminescence of organic crystals arising from subtle molecular rearrangement

Zihao Zhao, Yusong Cai, Qiang Zhang, Anze Li, Tianwen Zhu, Xiaohong Chen and Wang Zhang Yuan ()
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Zihao Zhao: Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Yusong Cai: Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Qiang Zhang: Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Anze Li: Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Tianwen Zhu: Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Xiaohong Chen: Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Wang Zhang Yuan: Shanghai Jiao Tong University

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract Photoluminescence (PL) colour-changing materials in response to photostimulus play an increasingly significant role in intelligent applications for their programmability. Nevertheless, current research mainly focuses on photochemical processes, with less attention to PL transformation through uniform aggregation mode adjustment. Here we show photochromic luminescence in organic crystals (e.g. dimethyl terephthalate) with PL varying from dark blue to purple, then to bright orange-red, and finally to red. This change is attributed to the emergence of clusters with red emission, which is barely achieved in single-benzene-based structures, thanks to the subtle molecular rearrangements prompted by light. Crucial to this process are the through-space electron interactions among molecules and moderate short contacts between ester groups. The irradiated crystals exhibit reversible PL transformation upon sufficient relaxation, showing promising applications in information storage and smart optoelectronic devices. This research contributes to the development of smart photochromic luminescent materials with significant PL colour transformations through molecular rearrangement.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48728-w

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