TY - JOUR

T1 - Stepwise "Dark Photoswitching" of Photochromic Dimers in a Junction

AU - Olsen, Stine Tetzschner

AU - Hansen, Thorsten

AU - Nielsen, Mogens Brøndsted

AU - Ratner, Mark A.

AU - Mikkelsen, Kurt Valentin

PY - 2017

Y1 - 2017

N2 - Molecular photoswitches incorporated in a junction present a way to achieve light-controlled conductance switching by photoisomerization. Yet, the two isomers might also interconvert upon charging of the molecule if this results in a change in their relative energies. This behavior (current-induced switching) has been termed dark photoswitching and was observed for the dihydroazulene–vinylheptafulvene couple in a junction. In this theoretical study, we expand this concept to dimeric structures containing two dihydroazulene units linked through meta- or para-phenylene bridges and anchored to the electrodes through different linkers. In particular, we show how stepwise dark photoswitching can be achieved for certain redox states

AB - Molecular photoswitches incorporated in a junction present a way to achieve light-controlled conductance switching by photoisomerization. Yet, the two isomers might also interconvert upon charging of the molecule if this results in a change in their relative energies. This behavior (current-induced switching) has been termed dark photoswitching and was observed for the dihydroazulene–vinylheptafulvene couple in a junction. In this theoretical study, we expand this concept to dimeric structures containing two dihydroazulene units linked through meta- or para-phenylene bridges and anchored to the electrodes through different linkers. In particular, we show how stepwise dark photoswitching can be achieved for certain redox states

U2 - 10.1021/acs.jpcc.6b10410

DO - 10.1021/acs.jpcc.6b10410

M3 - Journal article

VL - 121

SP - 3163

EP - 3170

JO - The Journal of Physical Chemistry Part C

JF - The Journal of Physical Chemistry Part C

SN - 1932-7447

IS - 6

ER -