Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Time-resolved Photophysical Characterization of Triplet-harvesting Organic Compounds at an Oxygen-free Environment Using an iCCD Camera
Published on: December 27, 2018
Mechanochromic and thermochromic luminescence of a copper iodide cluster
Sandrine Perruchas1, Xavier F Le Goff, Sébastien Maron
1Laboratoire de Physique de la Matière Condensée (PMC), CNRS - Ecole Polytechnique, 91128 Palaiseau Cedex, France. sandrine.perruchas@polytechnique.edu
Abstract:
The mechanochromic and thermochromic luminescence properties of a molecular copper(I) iodide cluster formulated [Cu(4)I(4)(PPh(2)(CH(2)CH=CH(2)))(4)] are reported. Upon mechanical grinding in a mortar, its solid-state emission properties are drastically modified as well as its thermochromic behavior. This reversible phenomenon has been attributed to distortions in the crystal packing leading to modifications of the intermolecular interactions and thus of the [Cu(4)I(4)] cluster core geometry. Notably, modification of the Cu-Cu interactions seems to be involved in this phenomenon directly affecting the emissive properties of the cluster.
Related Concept Videos
Colors and Magnetism
When atoms or molecules absorb light at the proper frequency, their electrons are excited to higher-energy orbitals. For many main group atoms and molecules, the absorbed photons are in the ultraviolet range of the electromagnetic spectrum, which cannot be detected by the human eye. For coordination compounds, the energy difference between the d orbitals often allows photons in the visible range to be absorbed and emitted, which is seen as colors by the human eye.
Photoluminescence: Applications
Crystal Field Theory - Octahedral Complexes
To explain the observed behavior of transition metal complexes (such as colors), a model involving electrostatic interactions between the electrons from the ligands and the electrons in the unhybridized d orbitals of the central metal atom has been developed. This electrostatic model is crystal field theory (CFT). It helps to understand, interpret, and predict the colors, magnetic behavior, and some structures of coordination compounds of transition metals.
CFT focuses on...
Photoluminescence: Fluorescence and Phosphorescence
A pair of electrons in a...
Variables Affecting Phosphorescence and Fluorescence

