Electronic Transport Properties of Spin-Crossover Magnet Fe（Ⅱ）-N4S2 Complexes

Spin-crossover （SCO） magnets can act as one of the most possible building blocks in molec- ular spintronics due to their magnetic bistability between the high-spin （HS） and low-spin （LS） states. Here, the electronic structures and transport properties through SCO magnet Fe（II）-N4S2 complexes sandwiched between gold electrodes are explored by performing exten- sive density functional theory calculations combined with non-equilibrium Green＇s function formalism. The optimized Fe-N and Fe-S distances and predicted magnetic moment of the SCO magnet Fe（II）-N4S2 complexes agree well with the experimental results. The reversed spin transition between the HS and LS states can be realized by visible light irradiation according to the estimated SCO energy barriers. Based on the obtained transport results, we observe nearly perfect spin-filtering effect in this SCO magnet Fe（II）-N4S2 junction with the HS state, and the corresponding current under small bias voltage is mainly contributed by the spin-down electrons, which is obviously larger than that of the LS case. Clearly, these theoretical findings suggest that SCO magnet Fe（II）-N4S2 complexes hold potential applications in molecular spintronies.

From a mononuclear FeL_(2)complex to a Fe_(4)L_(4)molecular square:Designed assembly and spin-crossover property

By introduction of a new Fe(L^(1))_(2)spin-crossover(SCO)unit into the polynuclear system,a nano-scale Fe4(L^(2))_(4)molecular square architecture is designed through coordination-directed self-assembly strategy.Both the mononuclear Fe(L^(1))_(2)and tetranuclear Fe4(L^(2))_(4)complexes have bee门structurally confirmed by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR),electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry(ESI-TOF-MS),and temperature-dependent single crystal X-ray diffraction studies.Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements reveal the presence of an abrupt SCO behavior with a thermal hysteresis width of 4K for Fe(L^(1))_(2).By clear contrast,Fe4(L^(2))_(4)undergoes a gradual spin transition behavior with enlarged thermal hysteresis width and higher spin transition temperature.

Reversible on-off switching of spin-crossover behavior via photochemical [2+2] cycloaddition reaction

Herein,we report the first example showing the reversible on-off switching of spin-crossover(SCO)property by solid state photochemical[2+2]reaction.The ultraviolet(UV)light-induced[2+2]cycloaddition reaction of 3-spy ligands in a twodimensional(2D)Hofmann-type framework[Fe(3-spy)_(2){Pd(CN)_(4)}](1,3-spy=3-styrylpyridine),which shows a hysteretic twostep SCO behavior,gives a 3D Hofmann-type framework[Fe(rctt-3-ppcb){Pd(CN)_(4)}](2,rctt-3-ppcb=rctt-1,3-bis(3-pyridyl)-2,4-bis(phenyl)cyclobutane,r=reference group,c=cis and t=trans)accompanied with the disappearing of SCO properties.Moreover,upon heating at 250℃ for 12 h,the rctt-3-ppcb ligand in 2 could be partially dedimerized to 3-spy with 68%completion through single-crystal-to-single-crystal(SCSC)transformation,giving the annealing complexes[Fe(3-spy)1.36(rctt-3-ppcb)0.32{Pd(CN)_(4)}](3)which display an incomplete SCO behavior.The 2■3 interconversion is successfully achieved via continuous UV irradiation and thermal annealing,demonstrating the effectiveness of photochemical[2+2]reaction on switching on-off SCO properties.

Evidence of Decisive Effect of Crystal-field Splitting in Spin-State Transition

Based on the first-principle calculations for 3D Hofmann-like spin-crossover （SCO） compound [Fe（C4H4N2）{Pt（CN）4}], the discrepancy of transition mechanism is clarified with quantitatively distinguishable evidence of second order phase transition. It shows that the stretch around 0.2 ？ of Fe-N bond length leads to the continuous structure expansion, as the energy splitting ΔEHL between low-spin and high-spin states reduces from 2.554 2 eV to -0.327 8 eV, and the crystal-field splitting （CFS） is reduced from 1.845 8 eV to 0.420 8 eV meanwhile. A physics image relating the calculations results with CFS in the frame of ligand-field theory is presented, which manifests that CFS is a necessary parameter to be introduced directly in the theory of spin-state transition.

Light-induced stepped thermal relaxation in a Hofmann-type metal-organic framework

Spin-crossover(SCO)materials with light-induced multistability have potential applications in multi-addressable opto-magnetic memory devices and multiple switches.Here,we reported a three-dimensional Hofmann-type metal-organic framework(MOF)[Fe(bpy){Pt(CN)_(4)}]·coumarin(1·coumarin,bpy=4,4′-bipyridine),which exhibits an incomplete and hysteretic SCO behavior.Most importantly,the light-induced stepped thermal relaxation(LISTR)with obvious magnetic plateau for a hidden intermediate spin state is firstly realized.This hidden spin state is also observed for the first time in the thermal relaxation after light-assisted spin state annealing(LASSA).Meanwhile,an extremely rare bi-directional light-induced excited spin-state trapping(LIESST)with the highest reverse-LIESST temperature is observed.Therefore,five spin states can be captured in 1·coumarin and the tristability can be modulated below 102 K through the excitation-relaxation mechanism.Hence,the light-and temperatureinduced multistability provides a new strategy for developing multistable materials.

Tunable magnetism in layered CoPS3 by pressure and carrier doping

Despite extensive research on recently discovered layered ferromagnetic(FM)materials,their further development is hampered by the limited number of candidate materials with desired properties.As a much bigger family,layered antiferromagnetic(AFM)materials represent excellent platforms to not only deepen our understanding of fundamental physics but also push forward high-performance spintronics applications.Here,by systematic first-principles calculations,we demonstrate pressure and carrier doping control of magnetic properties in layered AFM CoPS3,a representative of transition metal phosphorus trichalcogenides.In particular,pressure can drive isostructural Mott transition,in sharp contrast to other transition metal thiophosphates.Intriguingly,both pressure and carrier doping can realize the long-sought FM half-metallic states with 100%spin polarization percentage,which is good for improving the injection and detection efficiency of spin currents among others.Moreover,the Mott transition is accompanied by instantaneous spin-crossover(SCO)in CoPS3,and such cooperative SCO facilitates the implementation of fast-response reversible devices,such as data storage devices,optical displays and sensors.We further provide an in-depth analysis for the mechanisms of FM half-metallicity and SCO.Tunable magnetism in layered AFM materials opens vast opportunities for purposeful device design with various functionalities.

Reversible light-driven magnetic switching of salen cobalt complex

Spin-crossover(SCO)metal complexes are expected to be widely used in data storage materials,display devices and sensors.Although a lot of spin-crossover photoswitches have been developed,the reversible photomodulation cases that work at room temperature are limited.Herein,a novel cobalt complex o-1-Co(II)wherein the salen unit bridges with bis-diarylethene has been designed as switch to construct"off-on"logic operation at room temperature.The complex o-1-Co(II)displays an abrupt,reversible and hysteretic spin crossover(T1/2↓=166 K,T1/2↑=177 K,andΔT1/2=11 K)between the high-spin(HS)and low-spin(LS)states.Meanwhile,photocyclization of o-1-Co(II)with UV light produces a photoresponsive closed form c-1-Co(II),which always stays at low-spin without SCO at all.Moreover,the magnetic switching of the complex can also be achieved with redox reactions between Co(II)and Co(III).