Reversible Optical Writing and Data Storage in an Anthracene‐Loaded Metal–Organic Framework

• Published in: Angewandte Chemie International Edition 2019-02, Vol.58 (8), p.2423-2427
• Main Authors: Tu, Min, Reinsch, Helge, Rodríguez‐Hermida, Sabina, Verbeke, Rhea, Stassin, Timothée, Egger, Werner, Dickmann, Marcel, Dieu, Bjorn, Hofkens, Johan, Vankelecom, Ivo F. J., Stock, Norbert, Ameloot, Rob
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anthracene; Data encryption; Data storage; Encryption; Fluorescence; host–guest systems; Metal-organic frameworks; Metals; Photoresponse; photoswitching; product authentication
• ISSN: 1433-7851; 1521-3773
• DOI: 10.1002/anie.201813996

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) enable the design of host–guest systems with specific properties. In this work, we show how the confinement of anthracene in a well‐chosen MOF host leads to reversible yellow‐to‐purple photoswitching of the fluorescence emission. This behavior has not been observed before for anthracene, either in pure form or adsorbed in other porous hosts. The photoresponse of the host–guest system is caused by the photodimerization of anthracene, which is greatly facilitated by the pore geometry, connectivity, and volume as well as the structural flexibility of the MOF host. The photoswitching behavior was used to fabricate photopatternable and erasable surfaces that, in combination with data encryption and decryption, hold promise in product authentication and secure communication applications. The confinement of anthracene molecules in a metal–organic framework enables reversible yellow‐to‐purple photoswitching of the fluorescence emission. The photoresponse of the host–guest system strongly relies on the unique properties of the MOF host, that is, the pore geometry, connectivity, and volume as well as the structural flexibility. The solid‐state photoswitching enabled the development of photopatternable, erasable, and rewritable paper.