Themed collection Materials for molecular electronics and magnetism
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Materials for molecular electronics and magnetism
Fabio Biscarini, Eugenio Coronado, Anna Painelli and Masahiro Yamashita introduce the Journal of Materials Chemistry C themed issue on Materials for Molecular Electronics and Magnetism, in honour of Jaume Veciana and Concepció Rovira.
J. Mater. Chem. C, 2021,9, 10521-10523
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TC90161C
Terahertz Raman scattering as a probe for electron–phonon coupling, disorder and correlation length in molecular materials
Terahertz Raman spectroscopy is presented as a technique with promising new directions. We report the possibility of characterizing electron–lattice phonon coupling, disorder and correlation length in systems of low-dimensionality.
J. Mater. Chem. C, 2021,9, 10677-10688
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TC01698A
Alkyl-π functional molecular liquids towards soft electronics
Free deformable, stretchable soft electronic devices are targeted by utilizing alkyl-π functional molecular liquids.
J. Mater. Chem. C, 2021,9, 10661-10667
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TC00998B
Electrically conductive covalent organic frameworks: bridging the fields of organic metals and 2D materials
We discuss the recent advances and main approaches towards the design of electrically conductive COFs, highlight some of the challenges in such design and give our views on the future directions of this field.
J. Mater. Chem. C, 2021,9, 10668-10676
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TC00750E
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Perspectives for polychlorinated trityl radicals
The multifunctional character and stability of PTM radicals makes them appealing in a broad range of fields, from active components in molecular optoelectronics to active agents in bio-applications.
J. Mater. Chem. C, 2021,9, 10610-10623
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TC02196F
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Pitfalls on evaluating pair exchange interactions for modelling molecule-based magnetism
Human know-how is crucial to cross-examine and challenge computations before trusting any result for modelling magnetic properties in molecule-based materials.
J. Mater. Chem. C, 2021,9, 10647-10660
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TC01083B
Insights into the magnetism and phase transitions of organic radical-based materials
Organic radicals have been consistently regarded as promising building blocks for the next generation of applied materials. Here, we discuss the insight gained from computational modelling into their magnetism and phase transitions.
J. Mater. Chem. C, 2021,9, 10624-10646
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TC01376A
Solid-solution (alloying) strategies in crystalline molecular conductors
Solid solutions in molecular conductors are key tools for investigating their conducting and magnetic properties, addressing phase transitions, chemical pressure effects and band filling manipulation.
J. Mater. Chem. C, 2021,9, 10557-10572
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TC02160E
Solution-processing of semiconducting organic small molecules: what we have learnt from 5,11-bis(triethylsilylethynyl)anthradithiophene
Processing strategies and methodologies are reviewed that allow the control and assessment of polymorph formation in semiconducting small molecules using 5,11-bis(triethylsilylethynyl) anthradithiophene (TES ADT) as a model material system.
J. Mater. Chem. C, 2021,9, 10547-10556
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TC01418H
The quest for single component molecular metals within neutral transition metal complexes
The first Single Component Molecular Metals (SCMM) were reported twenty years ago. This review will address their main design, synthetic routes and physical properties.
J. Mater. Chem. C, 2021,9, 10591-10609
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TC01407B
Spin-ladder behaviour in molecular materials
Spin-ladders are fascinating quantum magnetic systems. Their structural and magnetic properties and the possibilities offered by molecular units of different nature and crystal engineering tools to prepare molecular spin-ladders are discussed.
J. Mater. Chem. C, 2021,9, 10573-10590
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TC01576A
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A review of functional linear carbon chains (oligoynes, polyynes, cumulenes) and their applications as molecular wires in molecular electronics and optoelectronics
This review presents the multi-faceted applications of oligoynes in molecular electronics and optoelectronics, as well as recent insights for the design and properties of sp-hybridised carbon wires.
J. Mater. Chem. C, 2021,9, 10524-10546
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TC01406D
Observation of the correlation between the phonon frequency and long-range magnetic ordering on a MnW octacyanide molecule-based magnet
An anomalous change in the cyanide-stretching mode at the magnetic phase transition, a correlation between the phonon mode and long-range magnetic ordering, is observed in a molecule-based magnet, manganese tungstate octacyanide-bimetal assembly.
J. Mater. Chem. C, 2021,9, 10689-10696
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TC01048D
Physical insights from the Frumkin isotherm applied to electrolyte gated organic transistors as protein biosensors
Frumkin isotherm is used to fit data obtained from OECT- and EGOFET-based Intrelukin-6 biosensors and compared to the Langmuir and Hill ones. The model allows extraction of the equilibrium constant Ka and the Frumkin interaction parameter g′.
J. Mater. Chem. C, 2021,9, 10965-10974
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TC02546E
Functionalisation of MoS2 2D layers with diarylethene molecules
Covalently and electrostatically functionalised MoS2 flakes with photoswitchable diarylethene derivatives.
J. Mater. Chem. C, 2021,9, 10975-10984
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TC01133B
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Increasing resonance energy transfer upon dilution: a counterintuitive observation in CTAB micelles
Stable CTAB micelles loaded with DiI and DiD are prepared, showing RET. Remarkably, the RET efficiency increases upon diluting the sample below the critical micellar concentration, as the dyes cluster around CTAB.
J. Mater. Chem. C, 2021,9, 10952-10964
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TC02888J
Negatively charged ions to probe self-assembled monolayer reorganization driven by interchain interactions
The kinetics and the diffusional/interpenetration data of the probing species over time as well as the spectroscopic data provide key information on the interchain reorganization in an electric field.
J. Mater. Chem. C, 2021,9, 10935-10943
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TC02399C
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Extremely fast triplet formation by charge recombination in a Nile Red/fullerene flexible dyad
Fast and efficient triplet formation via charge separation followed by radical pair intersystem crossing is reported in a calixarene-based donor/acceptor dyad.
J. Mater. Chem. C, 2021,9, 10899-10911
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TC01885J
Supramolecular assembly of pyrene-tetrathiafulvalene hybrids on graphene: structure–property relationships and biosensing activity
The supramolecular functionalization of graphene with monopodal and tripodal pyrene receptors bearing a π-extended tetrathiafulvalene is investigated, and used to develop graphene-based electrodes for enzyme-based hydrogen peroxide sensing.
J. Mater. Chem. C, 2021,9, 10944-10951
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TC01442K
A small heterocyclic molecule as a multistate transistor: a quantum many-body approach
Using the quantum master equation for many-body Hamiltonian, this study computationally investigates highly non-linear current–voltage characteristics such as negative differential conductance, and Coulomb blockade in a small molecular bridge.
J. Mater. Chem. C, 2021,9, 10927-10934
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TC01092A
Design of FeIII–LnIII binuclear complexes using compartmental ligands: synthesis, crystal structures, magnetic properties, and ab initio analysis
Rare examples of phenoxido-bridged FeIII–LnIII binuclear complexes are synthesized, and their dynamic and static magnetic properties are rationalized by ab initio calculations.
J. Mater. Chem. C, 2021,9, 10912-10926
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TC00894C
Enhanced electronic communication through a conjugated bridge in a porphyrin–fullerene donor–acceptor couple
The electronic communication between the terminal electron-donor ZnP and electron-acceptor C60 units is enhanced by the conjugated EDOTV-based spacer leading to photoinduced electron transfer over the distance >2 nm in the picosecond time domain.
J. Mater. Chem. C, 2021,9, 10889-10898
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TC01160J
Precursor polymorph determines the organic semiconductor structure formed upon annealing
Polymorph selection in thin films of quinacridone obtained by the soluble latent pigment precursor method is found to be driven by the crystalline form of the precursor in a combined low-frequency Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction study.
J. Mater. Chem. C, 2021,9, 10865-10874
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TC01313K
Understanding the structural and charge transport property relationships for a variety of merocyanine single-crystals: a bottom up computational investigation
For a library of single-crystal merocyanines charge percolation pathways and mobilities were computed, matching the experimental data. Hole transport is maximized when molecules pack in slipped not centrosymmetric pairs, arranged in 2D architectures.
J. Mater. Chem. C, 2021,9, 10851-10864
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TC01511G
Conformationally rigid molecular and polymeric naphthalene-diimides containing C6H6N2 constitutional isomers
New molecular and polymeric NDI-based materials, containing constitutional isomers of aromatic amines, have been prepared as powders and thin films, studied by XRD and grazing-incidence diffraction methods, and compared to n-alkyl aliphatic congeners.
J. Mater. Chem. C, 2021,9, 10875-10888
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TC00564B
Interplay between core and shell in a RbCoFe@RbNiCo Prussian blue analogue spin transition heterostructure
Core–shell particles with a Prussian blue analogue RbaCob[Fe(CN)6]c·mH2O core and different shell thicknesses are studied as the cores undergo both thermal and light-induced spin transitions, revealing different mechanisms for accommodating strain.
J. Mater. Chem. C, 2021,9, 10830-10840
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TC01514A
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Plasmon-assisted spin transition in gold nanostar@spin crossover heterostructures
The spin transition of a Au nanostar and a SCO heterostructure has been induced by irradiating with low-intensity NIR light.
J. Mater. Chem. C, 2021,9, 10811-10818
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TC01943K
Chemical tuning of molecular quantum materials κ-[(BEDT-TTF)1−x(BEDT-STF)x]2Cu2(CN)3: from the Mott-insulating quantum spin liquid to metallic Fermi liquid
The electronic properties of molecular conductors are varied by substituting ions with extended wave functions to enlarge the bandwidth W. This enables them to cross the Mott insulator-to-metal phase transition by reducing electronic correlations U/W.
J. Mater. Chem. C, 2021,9, 10841-10850
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TC00785H
Effect of molecular geometry and extended conjugation on the performance of hydrogen-bonded semiconductors in organic thin-film field-effect transistors
Hydrogen bonding has been used to direct the solid state packing of four polyheteroaromatic molecules. The correlation between structure and charge mobility has been evaluated in OFETs.
J. Mater. Chem. C, 2021,9, 10819-10829
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TC01328A
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Oligoene and cyanine features of tetracyano quinoidal oligothiophenes
The π-electronic space between even-electron oligoenes and odd-electron cyanines is covered by the neutral and anion redox states of tetracyano quinoidal oligothiophenes enlightening them with versatile structure–function properties.
J. Mater. Chem. C, 2021,9, 10727-10740
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TC01436F
Modulation of the electronic states and magnetic properties of nickel catecholdithiolene complex by oxidation-coupled deprotonation
Magnetic properties of nickel catecholdithiolene complexes with unique hydrogen-bond networks were modulated by oxidation-coupled deprotonations and controlled with crystallization conditions.
J. Mater. Chem. C, 2021,9, 10718-10726
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TC01111A
A versatile, divergent route for the synthesis of ABAC tetraazaporphyrins: molecularly engineered, push–pull phthalocyanine-type dyes
A method to prepare key synthetic intermediates for ABAB- and ABAC-phthalocyanines and analogues is described. As an illustration, the synthesis of an ABAC-phthalocyanine-type dye, with a donor–π-bridge–acceptor structure, is performed.
J. Mater. Chem. C, 2021,9, 10802-10810
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TC00990G
Impact of chemical modifications on the luminescence properties of organic neutral radical emitters
The hybridization of the charge-transfer (CT) state with both the ground state (GS) and local-excitation (LE) states is essential in order to describe accurately the radiative and non-radiative transition rates in TTM-based radicals.
J. Mater. Chem. C, 2021,9, 10794-10801
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TC01702K
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From radical to triradical thin film processes: the Blatter radical derivatives
Thermal evaporation of (poly)radicals is possible. More than one radical site in a molecule makes it more reactive, narrowing the windows left for thin film evaporation, and favouring island formation rather than two-dimensional growth.
J. Mater. Chem. C, 2021,9, 10787-10793
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TC01541A
Dysprosium–dianthracene framework showing thermo-responsive magnetic and luminescence properties
Three-dimensional framework Dy2(amp2H2)2(C2O4)(H2O)2·10H2O exhibits thermo-induced dehydration and de-dimerization of amp2H22−, accompanied by changes in its single-molecule magnetic behaviour and luminescence properties.
J. Mater. Chem. C, 2021,9, 10749-10758
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TC01027A
Statics and dynamics of ferroelectric domains in molecular multiaxial ferroelectric (Me3NOH)2[KCo(CN)6]
Statics and dynamics of ferroelectric domains in molecular perovskite multiaxial ferroelectric (Me3NOH)2[KCo(CN)6].
J. Mater. Chem. C, 2021,9, 10741-10748
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TC01261D
SHG-active NIR-emissive molecular nanomagnets generated in layered neodymium(III)–octacyanidometallate(IV) frameworks
Nd3+ ions incorporated into hybrid layers built of [M(CN)8]4− (M = MoIV or WIV) and pyrazine N,N′-dioxide linkers form enantiomorphic materials exhibiting tunable NIR luminescence, SHG activity, and slow magnetic relaxation.
J. Mater. Chem. C, 2021,9, 10705-10717
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TC00825K
Unusual stoichiometry, band structure and band filling in conducting enantiopure radical cation salts of TM-BEDT-TTF showing helical packing of the donors
Enantiopure semiconducting crystalline radical cation salts of TM-BEDT-TTF with the Lindqvist type molybdenum based dianion, prepared by electrocrystallization, show unusual donor/anion ratio, charge distribution and helical packing of the donors.
J. Mater. Chem. C, 2021,9, 10777-10786
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TC01112J
Terbium(III) bis-phthalocyaninato single-molecule magnet encapsulated in a single-walled carbon nanotube
TbPc2 SMMs were encapsulated in the internal nano space of SWCNTs for the first time. From the STM/STS, it was determined that there were electronic interactions between the TbPc2 and SWCNTs in TbPc2@SWCNT.
J. Mater. Chem. C, 2021,9, 10697-10704
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TC01026C
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Switching of the mechanism of charge transport induced by phase transitions in tunnel junctions with large biomolecular cages
This work gives new insights in the conduction mechanisms across biomolecular junctions and demonstrates that proteins can reversibly change between in- and coherent tunnelling pathways defined by the protein cage and the amount of co-factor.
J. Mater. Chem. C, 2021,9, 10768-10776
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0TC05773H
The role of fullerene derivatives in perovskite solar cells: electron transporting or electron extraction layers?
The role of fullerenes as interfacial electron extractors and as bulk electron transporters in PSCs was differentially assessed in order to optimize device performances.
J. Mater. Chem. C, 2021,9, 10759-10767
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0TC05903J