TY - JOUR
T1 - Effect of Ring Strain on the Charge Transport of a Robust Norbornadiene-Quadricyclane-Based Molecular Photoswitch
AU - Tebikachew, Behabitu E.
AU - Li, Haipeng B.
AU - Pirrotta, Alessandro
AU - Börjesson, Karl
AU - Solomon, Gemma C.
AU - Hihath, Joshua
AU - Moth-Poulsen, Kasper
PY - 2017/4/6
Y1 - 2017/4/6
N2 - 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 π-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.
AB - 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 π-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.
U2 - 10.1021/acs.jpcc.7b00319
DO - 10.1021/acs.jpcc.7b00319
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 28408968
SN - 1932-7447
VL - 121
SP - 7094
EP - 7100
JO - The Journal of Physical Chemistry Part C
JF - The Journal of Physical Chemistry Part C
IS - 13
ER -