Indian researchers have developed a method to control the structural, optical and electrical properties of nanomaterials using temperature. The work offers a simple route to create responsive materials for next-generation electronics, photonics and sensor technologies. The study was carried out by scientists from the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bengaluru, in collaboration with the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), both under the Department of Science and Technology.
Core Scientific Development
The research focused on naphthalene diimide (NDI), an amphiphilic organic molecule that can self-assemble in water through supramolecular interactions. Such noncovalent assembly is important in advanced material design because it allows molecules to organise into stable nanostructures without chemical bonding.
Temperature as a Structural Switch
At room temperature, the NDI molecules formed circular nanodisks. These nanodisks showed chiroptical activity, meaning they interacted distinctly with polarised light. When heated, the nanodisks transformed into two-dimensional nanosheets. This change removed the chiroptical property, showing that temperature alone can alter both structure and optical behaviour.
Electrical Behaviour and Applications
The study also recorded a major change in conductivity. The nanodisks conducted electricity better, while the nanosheets showed nearly seven times lower conductivity. This indicates that the assembly pathway can be used to tune electronic performance with precision. Such control is rare in small organic molecules and could support future work in smart electronics, adaptive sensors and bioelectronic interfaces.
Significance for Advanced Materials
The findings show the growing role of supramolecular chemistry in designing multifunctional materials. The work demonstrates a practical strategy for engineering nanomaterials whose properties can be switched by temperature, strengthening India’s research base in future-ready electronic systems.
Last Modified: April 28, 2026