Materials that respond to light

Photoswitchable materials are systems that incorporate molecules capable of changing their structure—and therefore their properties—when exposed to light. These reversible transformations allow materials to respond dynamically to external stimuli, making them ideal for developing smart and adaptive technologies.

Common photoswitchable molecules such as azobenzenes, spiropyrans, diarylethenes, and stilbenes undergo reversible isomerization under light irradiation, enabling precise spatial and temporal control over material behavior. This light-driven tunability opens up innovative possibilities across a wide range of applications, including drug delivery, smart sensors, optoelectronic devices, soft actuators, and switchable catalysts.

What is this collection about? 

This cross-journal Collection between Nature Communications, Communications Chemistry and Scientific Reports welcomes contributions on the latest advancements in photoswitchable motifs, mechanisms and materials before the submission deadline of 30 November 2025. All submissions will be subject to the same review processes and editorial standards as regular submissions to the participating journals.

Why is this collection important? 

Designing photoswitchable motifs, understanding the underlying mechanisms, and developing new photoswitchable and multi-responsive systems are critical for advancing both fundamental science and practical applications.

This is a cross-journal collection between Nature Communications, Communications Chemistry, and Scientific Reports. Authors are welcome to submit to any of the participating journals. All manuscripts published in the collection are hosted on a dedicated nature portfolio portal, giving articles high visibility beyond the journal they are published in. 

Why submit to a collection? 

Collections like this one help attract and promote high-quality science. They are led by internal In-House Editors and supported by a dedicated team of Commissioning Editors and Managing Editors at Springer Nature. Collection manuscripts typically see higher citations, downloads, and Altmetric scores, and provide a one-stop-shop on a cutting-edge topic of interest.

Who is involved? 

Nature Communications is edited by in-house professional editors.

Communications Chemistry is edited by both in-house professional editors and Editorial Board Members.

Scientific Reports is managed by in-house professional editors and edited by Editorial Board Members.

Our editors work closely together to ensure the quality of our published papers and consistency in author experience.

How can I submit my paper? 

​​​Visit the Collection page to find out more about this collection and submit your article.