Nanotectonic Analysis Suggests Epitaxial Recrystallization in a Plastic Molecular Crystal

Nanotectonic analysis shows that plastic bending in crystalline tetraphenylbutadiene (TPB) involves multiple mechanisms. Rupture by tension, accretion by compression, and delamination by sheering are observed in different regions of the crystal. The phenomena are in agreement with simple arguments of mechanical analysis. The evidence of epitaxial recrystallization is also highlighted. Such an observation is supported by the identification of compatible crystallographic planes, favorable supramolecular interactions, and highly mobile substructures. Collectively, these features might be responsible for fast structure adaptation to stress with the preservation of macroscopic integrity.