Abrupt and Reversible Stretching in an Azobenzene Single Crystal via Thermal Phase Transition.

ABSTRACT: Mechanically responsive crystals are promising for actuators and microrobotics; however, achieving large reversible deformation with high durability remains challenging. Herein, A single-component azobenzene crystal is reported to exhibit an abrupt and reversible stretching of over 8% along its long axis, driven by a thermally induced single-crystal-to-single-crystal phase transition. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction revealed a significant change in molecular packing distance along the long axis accompanied by the reorientation of CH-π interactions, leading to large macroscopic stretching/shrinking. Furthermore, visible light (435 nm) induced rapid, localized, and reversible stretching of the crystal via the photothermal effect, enabling the remote control of microparticle motion. This stu

SUBMITTER: Gao M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12752656 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature