journal article·2025-05-13Open access

Low-Temperature Dynamics at Nano- and Macroscales: Organic Crystal That Exhibits Low-Temperature Molecular Motion and the Thermosalient Effect

José L. Belmonte-Vázquez, Durga Prasad Karothu, Carl H. Fleischer, Dazaet Galicia-Badillo, Mauricio Maldonado-Domínguez, Robert W. Schurko, Liang Li, Panče Naumov, Braulio Rodríguez-Molina

Chemistry of Materials· Volume 37· Issue 9

Abstract

High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide The thermosalient effect is a rarely observed, potentially very useful and at the present, unpredictable mechanical response during a phase transition that is thought to hold the potential for rapid and clean energy conversion devoid of gaseous products. Here, we report the serendipitous discovery of a rare instance of a thermosalient organic solid that exhibits the effect below room temperature. The crystals of this carbazole-based material are dynamic at both molecular and macroscopic scales. Using variable temperature synchrotron X-ray diffraction and variable-temperature solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (ssNMR), we thoroughly examined the hysteretic structural transition in this material, emphasizing its macroscopic reconfigurability. We discovered unexpected large-amplitude molecular oscillations in the low-temperature phase, which challenge conventional assumptions about salient materials. Notably, we combined 2 H ssNMR with computational modeling to reveal this dual-scale dynamism, setting the groundwork for advancements in energy-efficient actuators, sensors, and intelligent materials. This work might open new avenues for developing crystalline materials that can be implemented in innovative devices operating seamlessly across various scales.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Crystallography and molecular interactions · Advanced Chemical Physics Studies · Carbon Nanotubes in Composites

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Instituto de Química (IQ), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Circuito Exterior s/n, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, Ciudad de México 04510, México

Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Química (FQ), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México 04510, México

Smart Materials Lab, New York University Abu Dhabi, PO Box 129188, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry

Florida State University

National High Magnetic Field Laboratory

Novel Materials Development Lab, Sorbonne University Abu Dhab, PO Box 38044, Abu Dhabi UAE

Center for Smart Engineering Materials, New York University Abu Dhabi, PO Box 129188, Abu Dhabi UAE

Research Center for Environment and Materials, Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Bul. Krste Misirkov 2, Skopje MK−1000, Macedonia

Molecular Design Institute, Department of Chemistry, New York University, 100 Washington Square East, New York, New York 10003, United States

Funding

National High Magnetic Field Laboratory · State of Florida · Direcci?n General de Asuntos del Personal Acad?mico, Universidad Nacional Aut?noma de M?xico · Consejo Nacional de Humanidades, Ciencias y Tecnolog?as · Florida State University · Division of Materials Research · New York University Abu Dhabi · Facultad de Qu?mica, Universidad Nacional Aut?noma de M?xico

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