Sub-Centimeter-Long Tubular Organic Crystal Featuring Photoregulated Microfluidic Transport

High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide Achieving organic crystalline microtubes at subcentimeter-scales remains a significant challenge and a critical step toward bridging the microto-macro transition. Here, we address this challenge through the self-assembly of a uniquely designed V-shaped donor–acceptor molecule. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD) reveals differential, coordinated intermolecular interactions along different crystallographic axes. These balanced multidimensional interactions drive the formation of subcentimeter-long microtubes with diamond-like channel architectures. Notably, the molecule exhibits a substantial increase in dipole moment upon excitation (25.0 Debye, D vs 4.7 D in the ground state), enabling light-directed solvent transport: under irradiation, polar solvents (e.g., ethanol) migrate toward the illuminated regions, while nonpolar solvents (e.g., hexane) flow oppositely. This system showcases unique optofluidic properties, enabling approaches for targeted delivery, stimuli-responsive systems, and microfluidic applications.