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Updated: Jun 9, 2025

Hyperspectral Imaging as a Tool to Study Optical Anisotropy in Lanthanide-Based Molecular Single Crystals
Published on: April 14, 2020
Effect of Oriented External Electric Field in Altering Magnetic Exchange and Magnetic Anisotropy in
Tanu Sharma1, Ananya Singh1, Gopalan Rajaraman1
1Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Maharashtra, Mumbai, 400076, India.
Abstract:
Magnetic exchange coupling (J) is one of the important spin Hamiltonian parameters that control the magnetic characteristics of single-molecule magnets (SMMs). While numerous chemical methodologies have been proposed to modify ligands and control the J value, and magneto-structural correlations have been developed accordingly, altering this parameter through non-chemical means remains a challenging task. This study explores the impact of an Oriented-External Electric Field (OEEF) on over twenty lanthanide-radical complexes using Density Functional Theory (DFT) and ab initio Complete Active Space Self-Consistent Field (CASSCF) methods. Five complexes - [{(Me3Si)2N]2Gd(THF)}2(μ-η2:η2-N2)] (1), [Gd(Hbpz3)2(dtbsq)] (2), [Gd(hfac)3(IM-2py)] (3), [Gd(hfac)3(NITBzImH)] (4), and [Gd(hfac)3{2Py-NO}(H2O)] (5) - were selected for detailed analysis, revealing significant OEEF effects on magnetic exchange interactions and structural parameters. Various parameters such as bond distances, bond angles, and torsional angles were examined as a function of OEEF to establish guiding principles for molecule selection. In complexes 1, 2, and 3, OEEF influenced torsional angles and altered exchange interactions. Complex 4 demonstrated enhanced ferromagnetic coupling under OEEF, reaching a maximum J value of +5.3 cm-1. Complex 5 reveals switching the sign of JGd-rad exchange interaction from antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic under OEEF, highlighting the potential of electric fields in designing materials with tuneable magnetic properties. These findings offer valuable insights for future research and applications in advanced materials and molecular electronics.
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