An organic-inorganic hybrid thermochromic ferroelastic with multi-channel switches

• Published in: Chinese chemical letters 2023-09, Vol.34 (9), p.108127-323, Article 108127
• Main Authors: Zeng, Yipiao, Liu, Junchao, Zhou, Lin, Deng, Xin, Yang, Wenli, Yan, Xin, Luo, Yanling, Zhu, Xuan, Huang, Xiaoyun, Song, Xianjiang, Tang, Yuanyuan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bistability; Ferroelastic domains; Multi-channel switches; Organic-inorganic hybrid compounds; Thermochromism
• ISSN: 1001-8417; 1878-5964
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cclet.2022.108127

Multifunctional switchable materials are attracting tremendous interest because of their great application potential in signal processing, information encryption, and smart devices. Here, we reported an organic-inorganic hybrid thermochromic ferroelastic crystal, [TMIm][CuCl4] (TMIm = 1,1,3,3-tetramethylimidazolidinium), which undergoes two reversible phase transitions at 333 K and 419 K, respectively. Intriguingly, these three phases experience a remarkable ferroelastic-paraelastic-ferroelastic (2/m-mmm-2/m) transition, which remains relatively unexplored in ferroelastics. Moreover, the ferroelastic domains can be simultaneously switched under temperature and stress stimuli. Meanwhile, [TMIm][CuCl4] exhibits thermochromic phenomenon, endowing it with extra spectral encryption possibilities during information processing. Combined with dielectric switching behavior, [TMIm][CuCl4] are promising for practical applications in memory devices, next-generation sensors, and encryption technology. [TMIm][CuCl4] is an organic-inorganic hybrid thermochromic ferroelastic crystal with intriguing ferroelastic-paraelastic-ferroelastic phase transition, whose ferroelastic domains can be switched under both thermal and stress stimuli. [Display omitted]