Electronic transport investigation of redox-switching of azulenequinones/hydroquinones via first-principles studies†
El-Abed Haidar,Sherif Abdulkader Tawfik,Catherine Stampfl,Kimihiko Hirao,Kazunari Yoshizawa,Safinaz H. El-Demerdash,Takahito Nakajima
Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics Pub Date : 07/26/2019 00:00:00 , DOI:10.1039/C9CP03233A
Abstract

The redox switching of non-alternant azulenequinone/hydroquinone molecules is investigated using density functional theory and the nonequilibrium Green's function. We examined the electronic transport properties of these molecules when subtended between gold electrodes. The results indicated that the reduction of 1,5-azulenequinone and oxidation of 1,7-azulene hydroquinone 2,6-dithiolate lead to a significant enhancement of the current compared to the respective oxidation of 1,5-azulene hydroquinone and reduction of 1,7-azulenequinone, thus “switching on” the transmission. The significance of the position of the functional group on the switching behavior has been analyzed and whether destructive quantum interference exists in the electron transport of the 1,5 position in particular has been addressed. Our work provides theoretical foundations for organic redox switching components in nanoelectronic circuits.

Graphical abstract: Electronic transport investigation of redox-switching of azulenequinones/hydroquinones via first-principles studies