Understanding Structural Changes in a Superelastic Crystal

Abstract

　With the discovery of elastic single crystals of coordination polymers, the existing models that explain the mechanical properties of crystals have proved insufficient. Herein, microfocused synchrotron radiation analyses at the atomic level revealed that an organic single crystal underwent bending deformation attained by rotation, and slippage of molecules to retain integrity under external stresses. This study provides a valuable model to explain the mechanical properties of elastic single crystals having one-dimensional structure.