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A 'Plug and Play' Method to Create Water-dispersible Nanoassemblies Containing an Amphiphilic Polymer, Organic Dyes and Upconverting Nanoparticles

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Photothermal Switchable Single-Molecule Wires via Donor-Acceptor Side Chains.

Jiahong Hu¹, Jingtai Li², Yurou Lang¹

¹School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China.

|March 11, 2026

Summary

Researchers developed a novel molecular wire that reversibly switches conductance using light and heat. This breakthrough offers precise control over electron flow for advanced molecular electronics.

Keywords:

conductance switching donor−acceptor molecular wire photoswitch single-molecule junction

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Area of Science:

Molecular electronics
Organic electronics
Supramolecular chemistry

Background:

Precise control of electron distribution in single-molecule electronics remains a challenge.
Tuning molecular conductance requires advanced strategies for reversible control.

Purpose of the Study:

To design and demonstrate a single-molecule wire with reversible, state-dependent conductance switching.
To utilize photoisomerization and thermal relaxation for modulating charge transport.

Main Methods:

Design of single-molecule wires featuring a carbazole donor and an azobenzene-bridged acceptor side chain.
Employing photoisomerization of the azobenzene unit to induce a steady state.
Utilizing scanning tunneling microscopy break junction measurements to assess conductance switching.

Main Results:

Demonstrated reversible conductance switching between photogenerated and thermally recovered states.
Photoisomerization partially switches the molecule, with thermal relaxation resetting the initial state.
Modulation of donor-acceptor interaction, electronic coupling, and conjugation leads to conductance changes.

Conclusions:

Side-chain engineering with combined photo and thermal stimuli enables reversible, state-dependent control of single-molecule conductance.
This approach provides valuable insights for developing functional molecular electronic devices.
Offers a novel strategy for precise charge transport control at the single-molecule level.