Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 24, 2025

Novel Techniques for Observing Structural Dynamics of Photoresponsive Liquid Crystals
Published on: May 29, 2018
Deformation-induced phosphorescence shift in a 2D elastically flexible organic single crystal: role of
Subhrajyoti Bhandary1, Rik Van Deun2, Anna M Kaczmarek3
1XStruct, Department of Chemistry, Ghent University Krijgslaan 281-S3 9000 Ghent Belgium kristof.vanhecke@ugent.be.
Abstract:
Mechanically responsive organic luminescent crystals are one of the promising choices of materials for flexible photonic devices. However, the change in phosphorescence emission as a function of the flexibility of a crystal has never been reported. Our current findings demonstrate two-dimensional (2D) and one-dimensional (1D) macroscopic elastic deformability, under mechanical stress, in elastically flexible single crystals of dibenzothiophene, and its brominated derivative, respectively. Unlike the presence of dual fluorescence (FL) and room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) in dibenzothiophene single crystals, the derivative was found to show only RTP. Interestingly, upon elastic deformation, single crystals of the dual emissive dibenzothiophene show a noticeable blue shift (∼20 nm) of RTP emission when compared to their pristine crystals (straight and naturally bent). However, their FL peaks remain nearly unchanged irrespective of the crystal deformation. A hierarchy of structure-elastic functionality to RTP modulation has been quantitatively mapped by rationalizing the role of chalcogen-involved weak interactions.
Related Concept Videos
Variables Affecting Phosphorescence and Fluorescence
Photoluminescence: Applications
Photoluminescence: Fluorescence and Phosphorescence
A pair of electrons in a...
Chirality at Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Sulfur
A consequence of chirality is the need for enantiomeric resolution. While this is theoretically possible for all...
π Electron Effects on Chemical Shift: Overview
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...

