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.
Authors
- Fenglian Qi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8927-9612)
- Ki‐Jae Jeong (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6526-3608)
- Lulu Zhang
- Jianxiao Gong (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7116-2013)
- Fulin Jia
- Zhiyong Tang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0610-0064)
Institutions
- 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)
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
Funders
- 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