Heating effect of a one-dimensional molecular assembly on self-repairing capability in the nanoscopic channels of mesoporous silica

Self-repairable optoelectronic devices from a heat-induced structural damaged are potentially important for sensor [1] and display [2] applications. Recently, self-healing phenomena have attracted particular attention for developing sustainable structural materials [3], where extensive studies have been reported on polymeric materials capable of autonomous repairing macroscopic fractures or restoration lost mechanical strengths [4, 5]. On the other hand, for exploiting molecular devices that can self-repair elaborate functions, one may encounter different problems originating from much smaller size regimes. However, no rational strategies have yet been proposed for addressing this challenging issue. In our previous paper, when a phosphorescent columnar assembly of trinuclear gold(I) pyrazolate complex [Au3Pz3] is confined in the nanoscopic channel of hexagonal mesoporous silica [Au3Pz3]/silicahex (Fig. 1), upon stepwise heating from 20 °C to 140 °C in 45 min, the one-dimensional molecular assemblies are not only protected from thermal disruption but also strongly encouraged to self-recover to 100% in 5 h from a heat-induced structural damaged [6].