Giant flexibility of crystallized organic–inorganic porous solids: facts, reasons, effects and applications

Abstract

This critical review focuses on a strange behaviour of the crystallized solid matter: its reversible swelling with large magnitude under the action of various stimulii (T, P, light...). This review looks first at the structural origin and the limitations of this flexibility before examining the various properties associated to this phenomenon, and which make them both academic tools for the explanation or physical phenomena at the molecular scale and interesting multimaterials finding potential or real applications related to sensors, energy, energy savings, sustainable development and health.