Editorial
Introduction to order, disorder and ultrafast phenomena in functional solids
Tokoro Hiroko, Eric Collet and Ernest Pastor introduce the Materials Advances themed collection on order, disorder and ultrafast phenomena in functional solids.
Communication
Ultrafast variation of the polarized state in proton-π electron coupled ferroelectric cocrystal Phz-H2ca
Optically driven ferroelectric polarization reversal and its dynamics are observed in hydrogen-bonded organic ferroelectrics on a scale of about 10 ps.
Paper
Stimuli-responsive spin crossover behavior in 3D Fe(II) porous coordination polymers for guest molecules
A new 3D FeII spin crossover porous coordination polymer, [Fe(tpe)2dca]ClO4·5CHCl3·3CH3OH which accommodates guest molecules in its cavities to modulate its magnetic and optical properties, was prepared and investigated in detail.
Paper
Controlling AxMn[Fe(CN)6] charge transfer pathways through tilt-engineering for enhanced metal-to-metal interactions
We explored the interplay between structure and metal-to-metal charge transfer in AxMn[Fe(CN)6], incorporating K, Rb, and Cs. Activation/deactivation of the intramolecular charge transfer is influenced by cation-induced structural tilting.
Paper
Ultrafast magnetisation dynamics in a chromium-based Prussian blue analogue
An experimental framework comprising transient transmittance and time-resolved magneto-optical measurements was used to observe ultrafast photophysics and demagnetisation dynamics in thin films of mixed-valence Cr–Cr Prussian blue analogue.
Paper
Coherent X-ray imaging of stochastic dynamics
Fast nanoscale fluctuations blur out in most imaging methods. A new approach, CIDI, uses the visibility of interferometric fringes to separate the stochastic and deterministic contributions to a diffraction patterns in coherent X-ray imaging.
Paper
Interactions between alkali cations and cyanide-bridged network in A2Co4[Fe(CN)6]3.3 Prussian blue analogues revealed by far-infrared spectroscopy
A variable temperature far-infrared spectroscopy study of Prussian blue analogues revealed different positioning of alkali cations in the network.
Paper
Synthesis of heat storage ceramic λ-Ti3O5 using titanium chloride as the starting material
Simple synthesis method for λ-Ti3O5 was reported. The λ-Ti3O5 transitions to β-Ti3O5 with 7.78 kJ mol−1 of heat energy by 300 MPa pressure applying. The relationship between crystalline volume and threshold pressure were studied.
Paper
Detection of a Jahn–Teller mode as an ultrafast fingerprint of spin-transition-induced charge transfer in CoFe Prussian Blue Analogue
Using sub-20-fs ultrafast spectroscopy, we unravel high-frequency vibrational coherences during the photoinduced charge transfer in the CoFe Prussian Blue Analogue, attributed to the transient activation of a low-symmetry Jahn–Teller mode.
Paper
Multistep transitions in spin crossover materials without long-range spin state order from dimensional reduction
The interplay of distinct metal centres with elastic interactions causes multistep spin crossover with disordered spin states in the intermediate phases; via a reduction in the effective dimensionality of the material due to partial spin state order.
About this collection
Guest Edited by Ernest Pastor (CNRS, IPR, University of Rennes, France), Hiroko Tokoro (University of Tsukuba, Japan), and Eric Collet (University of Rennes, CNRS, IPR, France).
This collection shines a spotlight on emerging phenomena and new research covering the characterisation, functionality and control of system order and disorder in functional solids. Particularly focussing on new research exploring the implications of system ordering/disorder in the ultrafast response of solids.