Reversible three-dimensional chirality continuum enabled by luminomagnetic superstructure in gel

Chirality continuum is crucial for advancing fundamental theories - spanning symmetry breaking and topological invariants - and for developing functional materials with tunable chiroptical, spintronic, and magnetic properties. However, achieving chirality continuum, particularly reversible in three-dimensional solids, remains elusive due to the intrinsic difficulties in nanoscale accuracy over extended architectures. Here, we introduce a decoupled design strategy that integrates magnetic field-directed achiral superstructures of luminomagnetic nanoparticles (LMNPs) with post-curing mechanical manipulation. Under a quadrupolar magnetic field, LMNPs self-assemble into nematic superstructures that are fixed within elastomers to form a luminomagnetic gel (LMG). Under macroscopic torsion, the superstructures undergo a transition from achiral to chiral nematic phase, allowing continuous and reversible tuning between left- and right-handed states. This process converts bulk mechanical deformation into nanoscale structural reconfiguration (for instance, 45° twisting in LMG produces 0.00088° of average inter-chain angle reorientation), thereby establishing long-range chiral ordering. The emergent circularly polarized luminescence is robust and reversible, with its intensity and handedness smoothly tuned through adjusting the applied torque. Our work delivers a modular, solid-state platform for reversible chirality continuum, opening avenues for polarization engineering and high-precision/broadband chiroptical technologies.

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Publication Details

Journal
Nature Communications
Published
2026-05-11
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-73140-x
Primary Topic
Advanced Materials and Mechanics
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Reversible three-dimensional chirality continuum enabled by luminomagnetic superstructure in gel

Fenglian Qi, Ki‐Jae Jeong, Lulu Zhang, Jianxiao Gong et al.
Nature Communications
Advanced Materials and Mechanics
article

Reversible three-dimensional chirality continuum enabled by luminomagnetic superstructure in gel

Fenglian Qi, Ki‐Jae Jeong, Lulu Zhang, Jianxiao Gong, Fulin Jia, Zhiyong Tang
article en

Abstract

Chirality continuum is crucial for advancing fundamental theories - spanning symmetry breaking and topological invariants - and for developing functional materials with tunable chiroptical, spintronic, and magnetic properties. However, achieving chirality continuum, particularly reversible in three-dimensional solids, remains elusive due to the intrinsic difficulties in nanoscale accuracy over extended architectures. Here, we introduce a decoupled design strategy that integrates magnetic field-directed achiral superstructures of luminomagnetic nanoparticles (LMNPs) with post-curing mechanical manipulation. Under a quadrupolar magnetic field, LMNPs self-assemble into nematic superstructures that are fixed within elastomers to form a luminomagnetic gel (LMG). Under macroscopic torsion, the superstructures undergo a transition from achiral to chiral nematic phase, allowing continuous and reversible tuning between left- and right-handed states. This process converts bulk mechanical deformation into nanoscale structural reconfiguration (for instance, 45° twisting in LMG produces 0.00088° of average inter-chain angle reorientation), thereby establishing long-range chiral ordering. The emergent circularly polarized luminescence is robust and reversible, with its intensity and handedness smoothly tuned through adjusting the applied torque. Our work delivers a modular, solid-state platform for reversible chirality continuum, opening avenues for polarization engineering and high-precision/broadband chiroptical technologies.

Nature Communications
Qingdao University of Science and Technology (CN), Chungnam National University (KR), National Center for Nanoscience and Technology (CN), University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN)
National Research Foundation, National Natural Science Foundation of China, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China, National Research Foundation of Korea, Ministry of Science and ICT, South Korea
Openalex Percentile: Top 10%
Advanced Materials and Mechanics
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