Molecular or supramolecular level photoluminescence (PL) modulation combining chemical and photonic input/output signals together in an integrated system can provide potential high-density data memorizing and process functions intended for miniaturized devices and machines. Herein, a PL-responsive supramolecular coordination cage has been demonstrated for complex interactions with redox-active guests. PL signals of the cage can be switched and modulated by adding or retracting Fc derivatives or converting TTF into different oxidation states through chemical or photochemical pathways. As a result, reversible or stepwise PL responses are displayed by these host-guest systems because of the occurrence of photoinduced electron-transfer (PET) or fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FREnT) processes, providing unique nanodevice models bearing off/on logic gates or memristor-like sequential memory and Boolean operation functions.
Keywords: host-guest systems; metal-organic cages; nanotechnology; photoluminescence; supramolecular chemistry.
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