Writing Self‐Erasing Images using Metastable Nanoparticle “Inks”

Mission Impossible: Metal nanoparticles (NPs) coated with photoresponsive ligands are used as “inks” for self-erasing “paper” whereby light-induced self-assembly of the NPs is transduced into local color changes (see picture). Depending on the degree of self-assembly, multicolor images can be written using only one type of NP ink. Duration of image erasure is regulated by the surface concentration of photoactive groups and can range from seconds to days. Detailed facts of importance to specialist readers are published as ”Supporting Information”. Such documents are peer-reviewed, but not copy-edited or typeset. They are made available as submitted by the authors. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.