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Mechanochromic Organic Materials: Molecular Mechanisms and Multidimensional Applications

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Mechanochromic (MC) organic materials – systems exhibiting a change in color in response to mechanical stimuli – have emerged as a frontier research domain at the intersection of materials science, chemistry, and physics with the potential for application in next‐generation technologies. This review presents the recent advances in the field, providing a comprehensive overview of MC luminescent organic materials. We elucidate the intricate relationship between molecular structure and force‐responsive properties, emphasizing the potential for precise tunability of their optical responses to mechanical stimuli. This review encompasses the full range of MC phenomena triggered by various mechanical forces, including grinding, pressure, stretching, shearing, and friction‐induced changes in color. Beyond fundamental mechanisms, technological implementations of mechanochromism across different applicationsranging from smart displays and anti‐counterfeiting measures to biomedical imaging and structural monitoring. Through critical assessment of the current research landscape, highlighting key achievements, unresolved challenges, and future directions, it is aimed to inspire interdisciplinary innovation in this dynamic field, providing a roadmap for future explorations.

Source: Advanced Physics Research

DOI: 10.1002/apxr.202500125

Authors: Xiaozhe Yin, Guoliang Niu, Yu Wang, Angela Wittmann, Huiyang Gou, Lang Jiang