Emerging properties and applications of spin crossover nanomaterials

In the past few years we have witnessed the spectacular development of nano-materials of spin crossover complexes of 3d4–3d7 transition metal ions, including thin films, nanoparticles, nanopatterns and nanoscale assemblies. These developments were primarily motivated by fundamental questions concerning size reduction effects on the bistability properties. On the other hand, spin crossover nano-objects require new characterization techniques (scanning probe microscopy, micro-magnetometry, etc.), revealing unknown details of the SCO mechanism at the nanoscale and giving access also to properties, which have been largely unexplored until now. In this Highlight, we review these recent experimental developments and discuss perspectives for societal applications as well.