Amplifying Colossal Thermal Expansion of a Martensitic Molecular Crystal through Interlayer Shear-Induced Side-Chain Liberation.

Molecular crystals capable of colossal thermal expansion (TE) are fascinating owing to their substantial and continuous volume changes and reasonably linear responses to temperature. This makes them promising candidates for micromachine applications. Macroscopic motion is driven by subtle yet cooperative movements of molecules that respond to the thermal motions of dynamic functional units.