On‐the‐Fly Synthesis of Freestanding Spin‐Crossover Architectures With Tunable Magnetic Properties

Spin-crossover (SCO) molecular-based switches have shown promise across a range of applications since their discovery, including sensing, information storage, actuators, and displays. Yet limited processability remains a barrier to their real-world implementation, as traditional methods for integrating SCO materials into polymer matrices are often complex, expensive, and prone to producing uneven material distributions. Herein, we demonstrate how 3D flow-focusing chemistry enables unprecedented control for the direct fabrication of SCO composite materials, addressing key challenges in processability, scalability, and cost. By using a 3D coaxial flow-focusing microfluidic device, we simultaneously synthesize [Fe(Htrz)<sub>2</sub>(trz)](BF<sub>4</sub>) and achieve its homogeneous incorporation into alginate fibers in a continuous manner. The device's versatility allows for precise manipulation of the reaction-diffusion (RD) zone, resulting in SCO composite fibers with tunable physicochemical and magnetic properties. Additionally, we demonstrate the ability to isolate these fibers as freestanding architectures and highlight the potential for printing them with defined shapes. Finally, we show that the 3D control of the RD zone granted by continuous flow microfluidic devices offers precise spatiotemporal control over the distribution of SCO complexes within the fibers, effectively encoding SCO materials into them. SCO-encoded fibers can seamlessly combine adaptability and functionality, offering innovative solutions for application-specific customization.

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Publication Details

Journal
Advanced Materials
Published
2025-06-13
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202420492
Citations
2
Primary Topic
Magnetism in coordination complexes
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.85

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article

On‐the‐Fly Synthesis of Freestanding Spin‐Crossover Architectures With Tunable Magnetic Properties

Michele Mattera, Salvador Pané, Bumjin Jang, Anh T. Ngo et al.
2 citations
Advanced Materials
Magnetism in coordination complexes
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article

On‐the‐Fly Synthesis of Freestanding Spin‐Crossover Architectures With Tunable Magnetic Properties

Michele Mattera, Salvador Pané, Bumjin Jang, Anh T. Ngo, Josep Puigmartí‐Luis, Ramón Pons, Guillem Aromı́, Semih Sevim, Mario Palacios‐Corella, David Aguilà, Tiago Sotto Mayor, João P. Vale, J. Díaz
article en
2 citations

Abstract

Spin-crossover (SCO) molecular-based switches have shown promise across a range of applications since their discovery, including sensing, information storage, actuators, and displays. Yet limited processability remains a barrier to their real-world implementation, as traditional methods for integrating SCO materials into polymer matrices are often complex, expensive, and prone to producing uneven material distributions. Herein, we demonstrate how 3D flow-focusing chemistry enables unprecedented control for the direct fabrication of SCO composite materials, addressing key challenges in processability, scalability, and cost. By using a 3D coaxial flow-focusing microfluidic device, we simultaneously synthesize [Fe(Htrz)<sub>2</sub>(trz)](BF<sub>4</sub>) and achieve its homogeneous incorporation into alginate fibers in a continuous manner. The device's versatility allows for precise manipulation of the reaction-diffusion (RD) zone, resulting in SCO composite fibers with tunable physicochemical and magnetic properties. Additionally, we demonstrate the ability to isolate these fibers as freestanding architectures and highlight the potential for printing them with defined shapes. Finally, we show that the 3D control of the RD zone granted by continuous flow microfluidic devices offers precise spatiotemporal control over the distribution of SCO complexes within the fibers, effectively encoding SCO materials into them. SCO-encoded fibers can seamlessly combine adaptability and functionality, offering innovative solutions for application-specific customization.

Advanced MaterialsVol. 37(37)
Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ES), Universidade do Porto (PT), ETH Zurich (CH), Robotics Research (United States) (US), Institute of Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (ES), Institut de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia de la Universitat de Barcelona, Hanyang University (KR), Universitat de Barcelona (ES), Anyang University (KR)
Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades, European Commission, National Research Foundation, Generalitat de Catalunya, National Research Foundation of Korea, Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior, Ministry of Science and ICT, South Korea, Fundación Bancaria Caixa d'Estalvis i Pensions de Barcelona, HORIZON EUROPE Framework Programme, Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, Staatssekretariat für Bildung, Forschung und Innovation, Agencia Estatal de Investigación, HORIZON EUROPE Reforming and enhancing the European Research and Innovation system
Openalex Percentile: Top 28%
Magnetism in coordination complexes
0.85
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