Thermally Twistable,Photobendable, Elastically Deformable,and Self‐Healable Soft Crystals |
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Authors: | Poonam Gupta Dr. Durga Prasad Karothu Dr. Ejaz Ahmed Prof. Panče Naumov Prof. Naba K. Nath |
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Affiliation: | 1. Department of Chemistry, National Institute of Technology Meghalaya, India;2. New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates |
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Abstract: | The first example of a smart crystalline material, the 2:1 cocrystal of probenecid and 4,4′‐azopyridine, which responds reversibly to multiple external stimuli (heat, UV light, and mechanical pressure) by twisting, bending, and elastic deformation without fracture is reported. This material is also able to self‐heal on heating and cooling, thereby overcoming the main setbacks of molecular crystals for future applications as crystal actuators. The photo‐ and thermomechanical effects and self‐healing capabilities of the material are rooted in reversible trans–cis isomerization of the azopyridine unit and crystal‐to‐crystal phase transition. Fairly isotropic intermolecular interactions and interlocked crisscrossed molecular packing secure high elasticity of the crystals. |
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Keywords: | actuators azobenzene photomechanical effects self-healing single crystals |
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