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Efficiently regulating the electrochromic behavior of naphthalene-diimide-based zirconium-organic frameworks through linker installation

Author

Listed:
  • Cha Li

    (Nankai University)

  • Hao Zhang

    (Nankai University)

  • Feifan Lang

    (Nankai University)

  • Yanghe Liu

    (Nankai University)

  • Lin Xu

    (Nankai University)

  • Xiao-Juan Xi

    (Nankai University)

  • Yang Li

    (Nankai University)

  • Jiandong Pang

    (Nankai University)

  • Hong-Cai Zhou

    (Texas A&M University)

  • Xian-He Bu

    (Nankai University
    Nankai University)

Abstract

Redox-active metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have already demonstrated their unique advantages in the field of electrochromism over the past decade. However, controlling and modulating the electrochromic behaviors in specific MOFs remains a significant challenge, as most of the cases reported so far are achieved by designing and constructing new MOFs. Herein, we design a redox-active Zr-MOF with coordination unsaturated pockets, termed NKM-908, based on a naphthalene diimide containing tetratopic carboxylate ligand. The fabricated NKM-908 thin film exhibits a reversible electrochromic behavior, showing a color change from basically colorless to light yellow and then to green. Remarkably, two forms of distinct and precise modulations to the electrochromic performance of NKM-908 are achieved through installations of linear auxiliary bitopic carboxylate linkers (TPDC-X) into the coordination unsaturated pockets, i.e. deepening the color and deriving new colors/shifting modes. This work is a successful attempt in tailoring the color change of electrochromic MOFs as required without synthesizing them from scratch. Considering the high efficiency and conveniency of this post-synthetic modification, such strategy opens up a versatile route in designing electrochromic materials, as well as facilely extending their potential towards practical applications.

Suggested Citation

  • Cha Li & Hao Zhang & Feifan Lang & Yanghe Liu & Lin Xu & Xiao-Juan Xi & Yang Li & Jiandong Pang & Hong-Cai Zhou & Xian-He Bu, 2025. "Efficiently regulating the electrochromic behavior of naphthalene-diimide-based zirconium-organic frameworks through linker installation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-11, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-55473-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-55473-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Qiang Zhang & Chou-Yi Tsai & Lain-Jong Li & Der-Jang Liaw, 2019. "Colorless-to-colorful switching electrochromic polyimides with very high contrast ratio," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-8, December.
    2. Huan Ling & Jianchang Wu & Fengyu Su & Yanqing Tian & Yan Jun Liu, 2021. "Automatic light-adjusting electrochromic device powered by perovskite solar cell," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-8, December.
    3. Si-Zhe Sheng & Jin-Long Wang & Bin Zhao & Zhen He & Xue-Fei Feng & Qi-Guo Shang & Cheng Chen & Gang Pei & Jun Zhou & Jian-Wei Liu & Shu-Hong Yu, 2023. "Nanowire-based smart windows combining electro- and thermochromics for dynamic regulation of solar radiation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-9, December.
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