Resilient photoswitchable metal–organic frameworks for sunlight-induced on-demand photochromism in the solid state
Samraj Mollick, Yang Zhang, Waqas Kamal, Michele Tricarico, Annika F. Möslein, Vishal Kachwal, Nader Amin, Alfonso A. Castrejón‐Pita, Stephen Morris, Jin‐Chong Tan
Abstract
Organic photoswitchable molecules have struggled in solid-state form to fulfill their remarkable potential, in terms of photoswitching performance and long-term stability when compared to their inorganic counterparts. We report the concept of non-electron deficient host’s surface with optimal porosity and hydrophobicity, as a priori strategy to design photoefficient organic solid-state photochromic materials with outstanding mechanical robustness. It is realized by the nanoconfinement of photochromes in a host matrix possessing optimal porosity and hydrophobicity. The resulting photochromic nanocomposites can be prepared in multigram scale employing a one-pot reaction under ambient conditions. When exposed to a light stimulus including natural sunlight, the photoswitchable nanocomposite powder changes color promptly and reversibly, in a matter of seconds (5 s and 30 s under UV irradiation and sunlight, respectively) along with excellent photo-fatigue resistance, which are on a par with inorganic photochromes. Exemplars of commercially viable prototypes that are optically clear, comprising smart windows, complex photochromic sculptures, and self-erasing rewritable devices, were engineered by direct blending with resilient polymers. Notably, the use of high-stiffness polymers (Young’s modulus > 2 GPa) is no longer considered an insurmountable challenge. Finally, photochromic films with anticounterfeiting features could be manufactured through precision printing of nanocrystals by drop-on-demand inkjet printing technology.