Molecular spin sensor for in-situ monitoring of crystallization behavior and phase transition in aromatic materials

Linshan Liu, Chong Zhao, Yingjian Zhang, Zhuxia Zhang, Chunru Wang and Taishan Wang ()
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Linshan Liu: Beijing Institute of Technology
Chong Zhao: Guizhou Medical University
Yingjian Zhang: Beijing Institute of Technology
Zhuxia Zhang: Taiyuan University of Technology
Chunru Wang: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Taishan Wang: Beijing Institute of Technology

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract Spin-active materials with sensitive electron spin centers have drawn significant attention in quantum sensing due to their unique quantum characteristics. Herein, we report a molecular spin sensor based on metallofullerene Y2@C79N for in-situ monitoring of crystallization behavior and phase transitions in aromatic materials with high precision. Temperature-dependent spin resonance signals of Y2@C79N dissolved in aromatic materials are analyzed using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Two functional aromatic materials, 1-chloronaphthalene and a liquid crystal material of 5CB, are selected based on their significant crystallization-related technological applications. For Y2@C79N in 1-chloronaphthalene, a distinct EPR signal transition attributed to the crystallization of 1-chloronaphthalene. For Y2@C79N in 5CB, three EPR signal transitions correspond to the phase transitions of crystalline 5CB. Theoretical calculations reveal that the sensing mechanism originates from crystallization-induced alignment of fullerene molecular orientation. This work establishes metallofullerene-based spin probes as a powerful analytical tool for detecting the crystallization processes in materials.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-62649-2

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