Work

Time-evolving photoreconfigurable self-assembly for integrated fluorochromic cellulosic emitter

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Light-driven dissipative self-assembly has garnered substantial attention due to its precise spatiotemporal controllability. However, achieving synergistic integration of spatial manipulation fidelity, architectural programmability, and dynamic reconfigurability within a free-standing platform remains a formidable challenge. Herein, we report a light-driven hierarchical dissipative self-assembly paradigm with temporally programmable fluorochromism, achieved through molecular-engineered coordination of dynamic macrocyclic host-guest interactions within sustainable cellulose matrices. Protonated vinylpyridium-derived merocyanine is designed and synthesized to construct light-controlled differential binding architectures with cucurbiturils. This system demonstrates quantitatively reversible interconversion between spiropyran and merocyanine states through alternating photoactivation (475 nm) and thermal relaxation. Structural modulation of host-guest stoichiometry between 1:2 and 1:1 induces nanoscale morphological switching between spherical and cuboid assemblies, accompanied by time-resolved fluorescence chromism. Leveraging the inherent affinity between cucurbiturils and cellulose nanofibrils, we engineered light-fueled hierarchical architectures into freestanding cellulosic papers, exhibiting self-erasing transient photowriting and multilevel anti-counterfeiting functions. The non-covalent host-guest architecture and reprocessable cellulose matrix synergistically enable material recyclability. This spatiotemporally programmed dissipative self-assembly system pioneers sustainable cellulose platforms for adaptive optoelectronics and smart sensing. Light-driven dissipative self-assembly offers precise spatiotemporal control over molecular systems, but simultaneously achieving architectural programmability and dynamic reconfigurability in such systems remains a significant challenge. Here, the authors develop a light-driven hierarchical dissipative self-assembly system using molecular-engineered coordination of dynamic macrocyclic host–guest interactions within cellulose matrices, achieving temporally programmable fluorochromism and material recyclability.

Source: Communications Chemistry

DOI: 10.1038/s42004-025-01868-6