Photochromic molecules as control units in molecular switches

摘要

A scheme of an optically controlled current switch is put forward, based on properties of a conducting polymer containing photochromic moieties chemically attached to the main chain. On the basis of electrostatic interactions of charge carriers with dipoles of the side groups, new local electron states are formed in the vicinity of the polar centers and on-chain charge carrier mobility is reduced. The idea is supported with measurements of the drift mobilities in polysilane copolymers containing polar benzaldehyde 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone groups.