Electrochemical Switching of Chromogenic Monolayers Self-Assembled on Transparent Platinum Electrodes

Reversible redox modulation of a lanthanide emissive molecular film

Herein we demonstrate redox switchable emission from a sensitised, europium-ferrocene containing, molecular film assembled by a novel nitrene-based strategy. Electrochemical modulation of europium emission upon switching the ferrocene moiety's redox state is ascribed to the reversible generation of a quenching ferrocenium species.

Multichannel molecular switch with a surface-confined electroactive radical exhibiting tunable wetting properties

A multichannel surface molecular switch based on self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on gold of a novel polychlorotriphenylmethyl radical has been fabricated. These SAMs are electrically commutable between two stable redox states that reveal distinct magnetic, optical, and wetting properties that can be employed as read-out mechanisms. The high stability and reversibility of systems like the one reported here further supports the vision of using molecules in the electronic devices of the future.

Electrochromic behavior of a self-propagating molecular-based assembly

A metallo-supramolecular network undergoes reversible redox chemistry on indium-tin oxide (ITO) coated glass substrates with concurrent color change. The switching time, long-term stability, and coloration efficiency are competitive with polymeric materials such as the industrially important PEDOT.

Ultraviolet-visible spectroelectrochemistry of chemisorbed molecular layers on optically transparent carbon electrodes

Pyrolysis of diluted commercial photoresist spun onto quartz slides yields optically transparent graphitic films. Transparent carbon electrodes approximately 6 nm thick can be reproducibly prepared, with a maximum absorbance in the ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) range of 0.25 at 270 nm. These electrodes are sufficiently conductive for electrochemistry, enabling modification of the surface via diazonium ion reduction and spectroelectrochemistry. Good quality ultraviolet-visible absorption spectra of covalently bonded molecular layers of nitroazobenzene, nitrobiphenyl, and azobenzene, with thicknesses of 1.4-4 nm, were obtained after subtracting the spectrum of the unmodified substrate. The spectra of all three molecules immobilized on the carbon surface showed red shifts of the absorption maxima relative to a solution of free molecules, indicating substantial electronic interactions between chemisorbed molecules and the Pi system of the substrate and/or intermolecular coupling. Spectroelectrochemical measurements show that reduction of free and chemisorbed molecules produce new absorption features in the 500-800 nm range; these spectral changes are partially reversible upon repeated potential cycling. Finally, density functional calculations correlate the new bands to the formation of anion radical or "methide" species that have more extensive electron delocalization than the parent molecules. The results from this work are useful for linking structural transformations in molecular layers "buried" under conductive top contacts in a type of molecular junction to changes in the electronic properties of the junction.

Monolayer-Based Selective Optical Recognition and Quantification of FeCl3 via Electron Transfer

Reagentless optical recognition and parts-per-million (ppm) quantification of FeCl3 in CH3CN was demonstrated using a redox-active Os(II)-chromophore-based monolayer on glass. The Fe3+-induced oxidation of the monolayer is fully reversible and can be monitored optically with a conventional UV/vis spectrophotometer (260-800 nm). The system can be reset with water within <1 min. Selectivity of the sensor toward FeCl3 is not affected by the presence of representative alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, and other transition-metal salts. Sensing of Fe3+ and concurrent generation of Fe2+ can be also observed with the naked eye by adding 2,2'-bipyridyl (bipy) to the solution to generate [Fe(bipy)3]2+. Validation of the analytical performance characteristics of the sensor was performed including reversibility, reproducibility, stability, and the detection range (0.5-162 ppm of FeCl3 in CH3CN, 100-1000 ppm in water). The monolayer is sensitive and specifically responsive to its target ion. In addition, a blind test was conducted to probe the reproducibility and reproducibility variances of the system. The reaction of the monolayer with a CH3CN solution containing 5 ppm of FeCl3 follows pseudo first-order kinetics in the monolayer with DeltaG298K = 21.6 +/- 0.1 kcal/mol, DeltaH = 10.2 +/- 1.5 kcal/mol, DeltaS = -38.3 +/- 4.9 eu.

Facile Light-Triggered One-Step Synthesis of Small and Stable Platinum Nanoparticles in an Aqueous Medium from a β-Cyclodextrin Host−Guest Inclusion Complex

It is shown, for the first time, that small (ca. 2 nm) and stable platinum nanoparticles can be easily obtained in one step through visible light irradiation of a host-guest inclusion complex between beta-cyclodextrin and platinum acetylacetonate in a water solution. The exclusive control of the reaction by an external trigger, the removal of the undesired reaction products without any manipulation of the sample, and the absence of ionic repulsions between the metal nanoparticles represent the main remarkable advantages offered by this synthetic methodology.