Effect of Ring Strain on the Charge Transport of a Robust Norbornadiene-Quadricyclane-Based Molecular Photoswitch
Journal article, 2017

Integrating functional molecules into single-molecule devices is a key step toward the realization of future computing machines based on the smallest possible components. In this context, photoswitching molecules that can make a transition between high and low conductivity in response to light are attractive candidates. Here we present the synthesis and conductance properties of a new type of robust molecular photothermal switch based on the norbornadiene (NB)-quadricyclane (QC) system. The transport through the molecule in the ON state is dominated by a pathway through the pi-conjugated system, which is no longer available when the system is switched to the OFF state. Interestingly, in the OFF state we find that the same pathway contributes only 12% to the transport properties. We attribute this observation to the strained tetrahedral geometry of the QC. These results challenge the prevailing assumption that current will simply flow through the shortest through-bond path in a molecule.

Switches

Conductivity

Junctions

Conductance

Length

Diarylethene

Photoisomerization

Electronic Device

Thermoelectric Properties

Quantum Interference

Author

Behabitu Ergette Tebikachew

Chalmers, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Applied Chemistry

H. P. B. Li

University of California

A. Pirrotta

University of Copenhagen

Karl Börjesson

University of Gothenburg

G. C. Solomon

University of Copenhagen

J. Hihath

University of California

Kasper Moth-Poulsen

Chalmers, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Applied Chemistry

Journal of Physical Chemistry C

1932-7447 (ISSN) 1932-7455 (eISSN)

Vol. 121 13 7094-7100

Subject Categories

Polymer Technologies

DOI

10.1021/acs.jpcc.7b00319

More information

Latest update

11/7/2022