Mechanical switching of current–voltage characteristics in spiropyran single-molecule junctions

Abstract

The electrical properties of a single-molecule junction of spiropyran are investigated through the break junction (BJ) method, and the current–voltage (I–V) characteristics are switched from rectified to symmetric through mechanical stimulus. This phenomenon indicates isomerization from spiropyran to merocyanine. In addition, an increase in the conductance associated with isomerization is observed.