Reversible single crystal-to-single crystal double [2+2] cycloaddition induces multifunctional photo-mechano-electrochemical properties in framework materials

• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-15510-7
• Publication Date: 2020-06-04T10:03:02Z
• Authors: Dylan A. Sherman; Ryuichi Murase; Samuel G. Duyker; Qinyi Gu; William Lewis; Teng Lu; Yun Liu; Deanna M. D’Aless...
• Keywords: Tetrathiafulvalene; Crystal (programming language)

Abstract Reversible structural transformations of porous coordination frameworks in response to external stimuli such as light, electrical potential, guest inclusion or pressure, amongst others, have been the subject intense interest for applications sensing, switching and molecular separations. Here we report a framework based on an electroactive tetrathiafulvalene exhibiting reversible single crystal-to-single crystal double [2 + 2] photocyclisation, leading profound differences electrochemical, optical mechanical properties material upon light irradiation. Electrochemical situ spectroelectrochemical measurements, combination with light-irradiated Raman spectroscopy atomic force microscopy, revealed variable that were supported using Density Functional Theory calculations. The transformation points towards plethora potential photo-mechanical photoelectrochemical devices, light-driven actuators photo-valves targeted drug delivery.