Metal-containing crystalline luminescent thermochromic materials

Abstract Stimuli-responsive functional materials with specific properties have been garnering recent attention. Various external stimulations, such as light, mechanical or pressure, vapor, solvent or temperature, have been extensively utilized to induce physical property changes. Temperature, the most fundamental parameter, is believed to serve as an efficient stimulus for triggering luminescence changes. This thermal, stimuli-responsive luminescence change is known as luminescence thermochromism. This review focuses on the systematic developments of metal-containing crystalline luminescence thermochromic materials, which will be of interest to researchers attempting to design and develop new temperature-induced luminescence-changing materials. Additionally, focusing on crystalline materials provides direct insight into the chromic mechanisms of luminescence thermochromism, which are also discussed.