Atomic-resolved hierarchical structure of elastic π-conjugated molecular crystal for flexible organic photonics

Chuanxin Wei, Lubing Bai, Xiang An, Man Xu, Wei Liu, Weizhe Zhang, Manjeet Singh, Kang Shen, Yamin Han, Lili Sun, Jinyi Lin, Qiang Zhao, Yujian Zhang, Yingguo Yang, Mengna Yu, Yinxiang Li, Ning Sun, Yufeng Han, Linghai Xie, Changjin OuBo Sun, Xuehua Ding, Chunxiang Xu, Zhongfu An, Runfeng Chen, Haifeng Ling, Wen Li, Jianpu Wang, Wei Huang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

38 Scopus citations

Abstract

Achieving multifunctional elastic conjugated molecular crystals is a huge challenge for flexible optoelectronic application due to the difficulty in precise control of non-covalent interactions that cause an inherent rigidity and brittleness impression of crystals. Here, we demonstrated the atomic-resolved structural perturbations of a racemic fluorenol-carbazole (PhOH-Cz) elastic π-conjugated molecular crystal for flexible naked-eye-visible and color-tunable afterglow waveguide. Its outstanding elastic property is derived from the synergistic effect of interlayer hierarchical slippage and the intralayer molecule perturbations, which provide a physical platform to absorb and release the mechanical energy and avoid brittle fracture. The atomic-resolved structural perturbations in the bent elastic crystal visually confirmed the molecular movements leading to breaking and re-forming of hydrogen-bonding interactions. These exceptional observations will be useful to systematically investigate photophysical behavior of conjugated materials. Finally, the flexible naked-eye-visible and color-tunable afterglow waveguides that were fabricated confirmed the potential application of elastic crystal in flexible organic photonics.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1427-1441
Number of pages15
JournalChem
Volume8
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 12 May 2022

Keywords

  • SDG3: Good health and well-being
  • SDG9: Industry innovation and infrastructure
  • atomic-resolved structure
  • elastic conjugated molecular crystals
  • flexible organic photonics
  • physical cross-linked structure

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