Multifunctional Material with Efficient Optoelectronic Integrated Molecular Switches Based on a Flexible Thin Film/Crystal

Switchable materials, due to their potential applications in the fields of sensors, photonic devices, digital processing, etc., have been developed drastically. However, they still face great challenges in effectively inducing multiple molecular switching. Herein organic–inorganic hybrid compounds, an emerging class of hydrosoluble optoelectronic-active materials, welcome a new member with smart unique optical/electrical (fluorescence/dielectric) dual switches (switching ON/OFF), that is, [C5H13NBr][Cd3Br7] (1) in the form of both a bulk crystal and an ultraflexible monodirectional thin film, which simultaneously exhibits fast dielectric/fluorescent dual switching triggered by an optical/thermal/electric signal with a high signal-to-noise ratio of 35 (the highest one in the known optical/dielectric dual molecular switches). Additionally, the exceptional stability/fatigue resistance as well as the fantastic extensibility/compactness of thin films (more than 10000 times folding over 90°), makes 1 an ideal candidate for single-molecule intelligent wearable devices and seamlessly integrated optoelectronic multiswitchable devices. This opens up a new route toward advanced light/electric high-performance switches/memories based on organic–inorganic hybrid compounds.