Reconfiguring surface functions using visible-light-controlled metal-ligand coordination

Most surfaces are either static or switchable only between “on” and “off” states for a specific application. It is a challenge to develop reconfigurable surfaces that can adapt to rapidly changing environments or applications. Here, we demonstrate fabrication of surfaces that can be reconfigured for user-defined functions using visible-light-controlled Ru–thioether coordination chemistry. We modify substrates with Ru complex Ru-H2O. To endow a Ru-H2O-modified substrate with a certain function, a functional thioether ligand is immobilized on the substrate via Ru–thioether coordination. To change the surface function, the immobilized thioether ligand is cleaved from the substrate by visible-light-induced ligand dissociation, and then another thioether ligand with a distinct function is immobilized on the substrate. Different thioethers endow the surface with different functions. Based on this strategy, we rewrite surface patterns, manipulate protein adsorption, and control surface wettability. This strategy enables the fabrication of reconfigurable surfaces with customizable functions on demand.