Collaborative Research: Diarylethene-based Crystalline Materials: Design and Function

非技术性摘要：在该项目中，在材料研究部固体和材料化学计划的支持下，布法罗大学、纽约州立大学的杰森·本尼迪克特副教授和新墨西哥大学的杰弗里·拉克教授正在开发可被紫外光激活的结晶多孔材料。这些分子材料由光活性化学基团组成，当暴露在光线下时会改变形状。光驱动的分子转化导致晶体中的气孔(孔)和通道改变形状和尺寸。这导致了智能材料的发展，这些材料能够选择性地吸收或释放客体分子，但只有在暴露在适当波长的光下时才能。使用超快脉冲光和/或X射线的实验揭示了对这些新材料中发生的基本光化学的关键见解。这项研究确立了亟需的设计原则，以理解和实现下一代光响应材料的合理设计。这些教育项目包括美国晶体生长大赛的继续，以及全国范围的晶体生长大赛，通过为参与者提供有趣和令人兴奋的基于STEM的动手比赛，将晶体和晶体生长的概念带到全国的K-12教室和家庭学校。技术摘要：将二芳基乙烯的光响应特性整合到混合晶体系统中，将这些传统的被动材料转化为活性材料，从而响应光刺激改变其化学或电子性能。PI的创新方法-使用闭合的二芳基乙烯建筑单元-确保可靠和可预测的光响应性晶体材料的合成。鉴于延长寿命在可持续材料开发中的重要性，拟议的研究还包括努力确定和了解这些系统中疲劳的根本原因。这些材料中的光化学反应，无论是需要的还是不需要的，都可以通过先进的光谱和原位X射线衍射方法进行精确的监测。这些实验提供了所提出的杂化晶体固体的分子光化学和光物理之间的关键联系。预计通过这一合作研究计划开发的设计原则和实验技术可以推广到其他光致变色系统。外展工作通过美国晶体生长竞赛的持续发展，在全国范围内带来了晶体生长课堂的概念。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Non-technical Abstract:In this project, supported by the Solid State and Materials Chemistry program in the Division of Materials Research, Associate Professor Jason Benedict of the University at Buffalo, The State University of New York and Professor Jeffrey Rack of the University of New Mexico are developing crystalline porous materials that are activated by UV light. These molecular materials comprise photo-active chemical groups that change shape when exposed to light. The light-driven molecular transformations cause the pores (holes) and channels in the crystals to change shape and dimension. This leads to the development of smart materials capable of selectively absorbing or releasing guest molecules, but only when exposed to the proper wavelength of light. Experiments using ultrafast pulses of light and/or X-rays reveal critical insights into the fundamental photochemistry that occurs in these novel materials. The research establishes much needed design principles to understand and enable the rational design of next-generation photo-responsive materials. The educational projects include the continuation of the U.S. Crystal Growing Competition, and a nation-wide crystal growing competition, that brings concepts of crystals and crystal growth into K-12 classrooms and home schools throughout the country by providing participants a fun and exciting hands-on STEM-based contest.Technical Abstract:Integrating the photo-responsive properties of diarylethenes into hybrid crystalline systems transforms these traditionally passive materials into active materials that change their chemical or electronic properties in response to light stimulus. The PIs' innovative approach - using ring-closed diarylethene building units - ensures the reliable and predictable synthesis of photo-responsive crystalline materials. Given the importance of extending longevity in sustainable materials development, the proposed research also includes an effort to identify and understand the root causes of fatigue in these systems. The photochemical reactions in these materials, both desired and undesired, are precisely monitored through advanced spectroscopic and in situ X-ray diffraction methods. These experiments provide a crucial link between the molecular photochemistry and the photophysics of the proposed hybrid crystalline solids. It is anticipated that the design principles and experimental techniques developed through this collaborative research program can be extended to other photochromic systems. The outreach efforts bring concepts of crystal growth classrooms across the country through the continued growth of the US Crystal Growing Competition.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.