Photo Responsive Electron and Proton Conductivity within a Hydrogen-Bonded Organic Framework

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Chemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Crystalline porous materials with coupled proton-electron transfer are crucial for advanced electronic applications.
• Previous research has not reported materials with simultaneous, switchable proton and electron conductivity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and synthesize a novel hydrogen-bonded organic framework (HOF) with coupled proton-electron transfer capabilities.
• To investigate the photoswitchable conductivity of the designed HOF upon light irradiation.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of a donor-acceptor (D-A) π-π stacking hydrogen-bonded organic framework (HOF-FJU-36).
• Characterization using single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).
• Investigation of conductivity mechanisms using transient absorption spectra and density functional theory (DFT) calculations.

Main Results:

• HOF-FJU-36 exhibits a 2D layer structure with continuous π-π stacking for electron transfer and hydrogen bonding for proton transfer.
• Upon 405 nm light irradiation, HOF-FJU-36 demonstrates simultaneously switchable electron and proton conductivity.
• The mechanism of photoswitchable conductivity was elucidated through experimental and computational analyses.

Conclusions:

• The study reports the first crystalline porous material with coupled, photoswitchable proton-electron transfer.
• HOF-FJU-36 offers a promising platform for developing advanced functional materials for electronic devices.
• The rational design strategy provides insights for future development of materials with tunable charge transport properties.