Compound switches to solid when exposed to light

The findings were published in the journal Chemical Communications. 

Coordination polymers are solids with various useful applications. In recent years, research into coordination polymers has increased, and scientists have developed many ways to synthesise them, but most of these methods rely on chemical reactions in solutions. This is the first example of a method that creates coordination polymers by exposing liquids to light.

Techniques that can control the properties of materials through external stimuli such as light and heat are extremely important in creating materials for use in electronics. For example, materials which solidify when exposed to light (photosensitive resins) are used in creating printed circuits, but it is difficult to reuse these materials.

Professor Mochida's research group proposed that if they could control the binding process between metal ions and organic molecules using heat and light, they could create a material that drastically changes its properties when exposed to external stimuli.

The group became the first in the world to develop an ionic liquid from a ruthenium complex with cyano groups. This liquid is colorless, clear, non-volatile, and does not freeze even at -50℃. If you apply ultraviolet light to the liquid for a few hours, it changes into an amorphous coordination polymer, and if you heat this solid for one minute at 130℃, it returns to its original ionic liquid form.

In this way, by applying light and heat, the group realised a reversible transformation between an ionic liquid and a solid coordination polymer—two substances with completely different structures and different chemical properties.

This research has led to the successful creation of a reusable photocurable liquid. It can potentially be applied to printed circuit boards, 3D printing, and adhesives. Professor Mochida comments, "We plan to continue research on the molecular design of this substance, to reduce its response time, and look into creating more functions for this coordination polymer."

Ionic liquids are salts with melting point below 100℃. Their melting point is very low compared to standard salts such as sodium chloride. In many cases, the cations of ionic liquids are formed from organic compounds. Their properties include non-volatility, non-flammability, and ionic conductivity. They can potentially function as electrolytes or environmentally-friendly reaction solvents.

These are substances in which metal ions and organic ligands combine in repeated coordinate bonds. They have various electronic properties and the ability for adsorption and desorption due to their network structures. In recent years, they have been a popular research topic as functional solids with many potential uses.