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Photochromic Materials: More Than Meets The Eye
Author(s) -
Zhang Junji,
Zou Qi,
Tian He
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
advanced materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 10.707
H-Index - 527
eISSN - 1521-4095
pISSN - 0935-9648
DOI - 10.1002/adma.201201521
Subject(s) - photochromism , materials science , nanotechnology , 3d optical data storage , smart material , computer data storage , molecular switch , optical storage , information storage , variety (cybernetics) , optical materials , optoelectronics , computer science , molecule , computer hardware , physics , artificial intelligence , database , quantum mechanics
Abstract Photochromic materials are a family of compounds which can undergo reversible photo‐switches between two different states or isomers with remarkably different properties. Inspired by their smart photo‐switchable characteristics, a variety of light‐driven functional materials have been exploited, such as ultrahigh‐density optical data storage, molecular switches, logic gates, molecular wires, optic/electronic devices, sensors, bio‐imaging and so on. This review commences with a brief description of exciting progress in this field, from systems in solution to modified functional surfaces. Further development of these photo‐switchable systems into practical applications as well as existing challenges are also discussed and put in prospect.