Photostimulated Reduction Processes in a Titania Hybrid Metal–Organic Framework

Lights, camera, action! A hybrid material derived from TiO2 is found to have remarkable defect chemistry: optical excitations larger than the band gap have sufficient energy to reduce titanium, accompanied by oxygen loss (see figure). New states introduced in the electronic gap are responsible for the material′s photochromicity. The future looks bright for photoactive metal–organic frameworks.