Mixed Monolayers of Spiropyrans Maximize Tunneling Conductance Switching by Photoisomerization at the Molecule-Electrode Interface in EGaIn Junctions.

ABSTRACT: This paper describes the photoinduced switching of conductance in tunneling junctions comprising self-assembled monolayers of a spiropyran moiety using eutectic Ga-In top contacts. Despite separation of the spiropyran unit from the electrode by a long alkyl ester chain, we observe an increase in the current density J of a factor of 35 at 1 V when the closed form is irradiated with UV light to induce the ring-opening reaction, one of the highest switching ratios reported for junctions incorporating self-assembled monolayers. The magnitude of switching of hexanethiol mixed monolayers was higher than that of pure spiropyran monolayers. The first switching event recovers 100% of the initial value of J and in the mixed-monolayers subsequent dampening is not the result of degradation of the mono

SUBMITTER: Kumar S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5053170 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature