Molecular spin sensor for in-situ monitoring of crystallization behavior and phase transition in aromatic materials.
basic_science · Level V
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- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 40759636.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1038/s41467-025-62649-2 and PMC identifier 12322179.
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Abstract
Spin-active materials with sensitive electron spin centers have drawn significant attention in quantum sensing due to their unique quantum characteristics. Herein, we report a molecular spin sensor based on metallofullerene Y<sub>2</sub>@C<sub>79</sub>N for in-situ monitoring of crystallization behavior and phase transitions in aromatic materials with high precision. Temperature-dependent spin resonance signals of Y<sub>2</sub>@C<sub>79</sub>N dissolved in aromatic materials are analyzed using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Two functional aromatic materials, 1-chloronaphthalene and a liquid crystal material of 5CB, are selected based on their significant crystallization-related technological applications. For Y<sub>2</sub>@C<sub>79</sub>N in 1-chloronaphthalene, a distinct EPR signal transition attributed to the crystallization of 1-chloronaphthalene. For Y<sub>2</sub>@C<sub>79</sub>N in 5CB, three EPR signal transitions correspond to the phase transitions of crystalline 5CB. Theoretical calculations reveal that the sensing mechanism originates from crystallization-induced alignment of fullerene molecular orientation. This work establishes metallofullerene-based spin probes as a powerful analytical tool for detecting the crystallization processes in materials.