Abstract
We investigate transport through mechanically triggered single-molecule switches that are based on the coordination sphere-dependent spin state of FeII-species. In these molecules, in certain junction configurations the relative arrangement of two terpyridine ligands within homoleptic FeII-complexes can be mechanically controlled. Mechanical pulling may thus distort the FeII coordination sphere and eventually modify their spin state. Using the movable nanoelectrodes in a mechanically controlled break-junction at low temperature, current-voltage measurements at cryogenic temperatures support the hypothesized switching mechanism based on the spin-crossover behavior. A large fraction of molecular junctions formed with the spin-crossover-active FeII-complex displays a conductance increase for increasing electrode separation and this increase can reach 1-2 orders of magnitude. Theoretical calculations predict a stretching-induced spin transition in the FeII-complex and a larger transmission for the high-spin configuration.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 4733-4737 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Nano Letters: a journal dedicated to nanoscience and nanotechnology |
Volume | 16 |
Issue number | 8 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 10 Aug 2016 |
Keywords
- density functional theory
- molecular spintronics
- nanoscale transport
- Spin-crossover switch