Fully Controllable Structural Phase Transition in Thermomechanical Molecular Crystals with a Very Small Thermal Hysteresis

Duan, Yulong; Semin, Sergey; Tinnemans, Paul; Xu, Jialiang; Rasing, T.H.M.

doi:10.1002/smll.202006757

Cited by 16 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 61 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…With regards to the shape transformation, some of the reported dynamic crystals are prone to disintegration, deterioration, splintering, and deformation during the phase transition, which hampers significantly the implementation of these materials into devices with cyclic operation 31 – 37 . However, recent reports on alteration of the thermal hysteresis of phase transitions by manipulating the phase boundaries 46 and the influence of second-order phase transitions on molecular configuration in a nickel complex have demonstrated the possible controllability of dynamic effects 47 . While each of these reported materials sets a milestone in the quest for an applicable dynamic organic crystal, the typical strokes that can be obtained by their expansion or contraction rarely exceed several percent, and are typically less than 12%.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exceptionally high work density of a ferroelectric dynamic organic crystal around room temperature

Karothu¹,

Ferreira²,

Dushaq³

et al. 2022

Nat Commun

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Dynamic organic crystals are rapidly gaining traction as a new class of smart materials for energy conversion, however, they are only capable of very small strokes (<12%) and most of them operate through energetically cost-prohibitive processes at high temperatures. We report on the exceptional performance of an organic actuating material with exceedingly large stroke that can reversibly convert energy into work around room temperature. When transitioning at 295–305 K on heating and at 265–275 K on cooling the ferroelectric crystals of guanidinium nitrate exert a linear stroke of 51%, the highest value observed with a reversible operation of an organic single crystal actuator. Their maximum force density is higher than electric cylinders, ceramic piezoactuators, and electrostatic actuators, and their work capacity is close to that of thermal actuators. This work demonstrates the hitherto untapped potential of ionic organic crystals for applications such as light-weight capacitors, dielectrics, ferroelectric tunnel junctions, and thermistors.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exceptionally high work density of a ferroelectric dynamic organic crystal around room temperature

Karothu¹,

Ferreira²,

Dushaq³

et al. 2022

Nat Commun

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…[40,48,49] Surprisingly, the transitions in PHA and L-PGA are also faster than other thermosalient compounds, such as 2,7-di([1,1′-biphenyl]-4-yl)-fluorenone (DPF) (1 × 10 −2 m s −1 ) and desloratadine (DL) (3.7 × 10 −5 m s −1 ). [50,51] The impressively high rates of the phase transitions of PHA and L-PGA do not only reflect their martensitic nature, which implies rapid and concerted diffusionless reconfiguration of their structures throughout the crystal, but they also open prospects for utilization of these and possibly other organic martensitic transitions for rapid structure switching for ultrafast conversion of the elastic energy into work. Another important conclusion from Figure 3G is that the reported transition velocities in thermosalient solids cover several orders of magnitude.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ultrafast, Light, Soft Martensitic Materials

Ahmed¹,

Karothu²,

Slimani

et al. 2022

Adv Funct Materials

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Martensitic transformations are well documented in metals and alloys where the atoms connected via metallic bonds rearrange concertedly and rapidly; however, due to the metal atoms, these materials are inherently very dense and add significant weight and bulkiness to actuating devices. Here, remarkably rapid lattice switching of molecular martensitic materials is reported where the rate of structural transformation exceeds other phase transitions several orders of magnitude. With a determined speed in the range of 0.3-0.6 m s −1 , the new phase advances throughout the crystal about ten thousand times faster relative to spin-crossover transitions, and about hundred to hundred thousand times faster than other common structural phase transitions. Macroscopic crystals of these materials respond by rapid expansion or contraction of about 0.02 m s −1 for unrestrained crystals and 0.02-0.03 m s −1 for clamped crystals. Monte-Carlo simulation of the spatiotemporal profile of the transition and of the local distribution of elastic and kinetic energies induced by domain growth reveals the critical role of the dynamic phase boundary and the lattice edges in the structure switching. Within a broader context, this study indicates that the martensitic organic crystals are prospective lightweight substitutes of metals for ultrafast and clean energy transduction.

show abstract

“…Nevertheless, the puzzling soft crystalline materials are pliable, mouldable, and mechanically adaptable, without losing their intrinsic properties. [45] Recently, a thermosalient organic crystal based on a fluorenone derivative, 4-DBpFO, [46,47] has been reported to deliver a kinetic energy of more than 65 pJ, corresponding to the work density of 270 J kg −1 upon thermoinduced SCSC deformation (Figure 1A). [48] The crystal was endothermic upon heating and the thermal energy was stored in the crystal, which was finally released and converted into kinetic energy.…”

Section: Thermomechanical Energy Conversionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Energy Conversion in Single‐Crystal‐to‐Single‐Crystal Phase Transition Materials

Zheng

Jia

et al. 2021

Advanced Energy Materials

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Single‐crystal‐to‐single‐crystal (SCSC) phase transitions are direct structural evolutions of crystalline materials in the solid state without the damage of ordering in the crystal lattice. These multidimensional SCSC phase transition materials are responsive to multiple external stimuli (heat, light, mechanical force, electricity, etc.), and have therefore demonstrated promising applications in many fields such as sensors, actuators, artificial muscles, soft robotics, and energy harvesting. The directionality and cooperativity of intermolecular interactions in crystal structures together with a sustained and long‐range dynamics, and the fact that they can operate at high frequency, enable fast and efficient energy conversion processes in SCSC phase transition materials. In this review, the SCSC phase transition materials are analyzed by dividing them into different types of energy transformation, from the point of view of different stimuli that initiate and drive the phase transition, including the thermo‐, photo‐, electric‐, and mechanic‐induced energy transformation, and the dimensionality dependent characteristics in these processes are presented. Moreover, the state‐of‐the‐art design and fabrication of the SCSC phase transition materials as well as the mechanisms of their energy conversion processes are discussed. Finally, the challenges and future potentials are also discussed.

show abstract

Fully Controllable Structural Phase Transition in Thermomechanical Molecular Crystals with a Very Small Thermal Hysteresis

Cited by 16 publications

References 61 publications

Exceptionally high work density of a ferroelectric dynamic organic crystal around room temperature

Exceptionally high work density of a ferroelectric dynamic organic crystal around room temperature

Ultrafast, Light, Soft Martensitic Materials

Energy Conversion in Single‐Crystal‐to‐Single‐Crystal Phase Transition Materials

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About