Stimuli-responsive behaviors of organic charge transfer cocrystals: recent advances and perspectives

Abstract

Organic cocrystals, as an intelligent design strategy of functional materials, have received extensive attention in the scientific community over recent years. The presence of diverse molecular arrangements and rich intermolecular interactions, in particular intrinsic charge transfer in organic cocrystals, depicts such materials as ideal systems to control and tailor their physical properties for stimuli-responsive applications. However, as a continuous emerging research field, a systematic review to summarize this promising application area remains unexplored. Herein, we focus on recent research progress and potential advantages of organic cocrystals in the field of stimuli response. First, an overview of the basic characteristics of organic charge transfer cocrystals is discussed. Subsequently, the stimuli-responsive behaviors of organic cocrystals under mechanical force, solvent, acid–base, light and heat stimuli are highlighted. Lastly, the future developments and prospects of these materials in a stimuli-responsive field are outlined.