Dithienylethene-Based Single Molecular Photothermal Linear Actuator
Angewandte Chemie International Edition (2023).
Umar Rashid, Elarbi Chatir, Leonardo Medrano Sandonas, PA Sreelakshmi, Arezoo Dianat, Rafael Gutierrez, Gianaurelio Cuniberti, Saiao Cobo, Veerabhadrarao Kaliginedi, Saioa Cobo.
Journal DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202218767

By employing a mechanically controllable break junction technique, we have realized an ideal single molecular linear actuator based on dithienylethene (DTE) based molecular architecture, which undergoes reversible photothermal isomerization when subjected to UV irradiation under ambient conditions. As a result, Open form (compressed, UV OFF) and Closed form (elongated, UV ON) of dithienylethene-based molecular junctions are achieved. Interestingly, the mechanical actuation is achieved without changing the conductance of the molecular junction around the Fermi level over several cycles, which is an essential property required for an ideal single molecular actuator. Our study demonstrates a unique example of achieving a perfect balance between tunneling width and barrier height change upon photothermal isomerization, resulting in no change in conductance but a change in the molecular length, which results in mechanical actuation at the single molecular level

Cover
©https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202218767
Share


Involved Scientists
Dithienylethene-Based Single Molecular Photothermal Linear Actuator
Angewandte Chemie International Edition (2023).
Umar Rashid, Elarbi Chatir, Leonardo Medrano Sandonas, PA Sreelakshmi, Arezoo Dianat, Rafael Gutierrez, Gianaurelio Cuniberti, Saiao Cobo, Veerabhadrarao Kaliginedi, Saioa Cobo.
Journal DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202218767

By employing a mechanically controllable break junction technique, we have realized an ideal single molecular linear actuator based on dithienylethene (DTE) based molecular architecture, which undergoes reversible photothermal isomerization when subjected to UV irradiation under ambient conditions. As a result, Open form (compressed, UV OFF) and Closed form (elongated, UV ON) of dithienylethene-based molecular junctions are achieved. Interestingly, the mechanical actuation is achieved without changing the conductance of the molecular junction around the Fermi level over several cycles, which is an essential property required for an ideal single molecular actuator. Our study demonstrates a unique example of achieving a perfect balance between tunneling width and barrier height change upon photothermal isomerization, resulting in no change in conductance but a change in the molecular length, which results in mechanical actuation at the single molecular level

Cover
©https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202218767
Share


Involved Scientists