Nanohybrid material of bilateral switch based on diarylethene

Abstract Air‐stable hybrid organic–inorganic nanoparticles were prepared, comprising photochromic cationic diarylethene species intercalated in layered MnPS3 by using a microemulsion method. The prepared hybrid material exhibited typical photochromic and fluorescent switch behavior similar to that in solution. Although its response to light was less sensitive, the hybrid material reduced the effect of solvents on its photochromism, and afforded a new approach to the application of molecular switch in solid. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.