Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 6, 2026

Determination of the Photoisomerization Quantum Yield of a Hydrazone Photoswitch
Published on: February 7, 2022
Multistate photoswitches beyond on and off
Yang Xu1,2, Yuqi Tang3,4, Quan Li5,6,7
1Institute of Advanced Materials and School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, China.
Abstract:
Molecular photoswitches are compounds that undergo isomerization between at least two distinct states upon light irradiation, accompanied by pronounced changes in their physicochemical properties. The incorporation of photoswitches into material systems enables light-triggered switching of material properties. Multistate photoswitches are attracting considerable attention because of their manipulation of light-controllable states and wider application when compared to traditional binary photoswitches. In this Perspective, we discuss the rapidly advancing field of multistate photoswitches, exploring the evolution of the field, fundamental principles, key design strategies, representative examples, diverse emerging applications, as well as the current challenges and future research directions.
More Related Videos
12:51A 'Plug and Play' Method to Create Water-dispersible Nanoassemblies Containing an Amphiphilic Polymer, Organic Dyes and Upconverting Nanoparticles
Published on: November 14, 2015
06:24High-Contrast and Fast Photorheological Switching of a Twist-Bend Nematic Liquid Crystal
Published on: October 31, 2019
Related Concept Videos
Switching of BJT
Cut-off Mode ("Off" State): In this state, both the emitter-base and collector-base junctions are...
Photoelectric Effect
Photochemical Electrocyclic Reactions: Stereochemistry
Selection Rules: Photochemical Activation
MOSFET: Enhancement Mode
In their basic form, enhancement-mode MOSFETs are typically non-conductive when the gate-source voltage (Vgs) is zero. This default 'off' state means no...
Deactivation Processes: Jablonski Diagram
Thermal and Photochemical Electrocyclic Reactions: Overview