Emerging Applications and Developments in Spin Crossover Systems

Dear colleagues,

There are potential applications of Spin Crossover (SCO) complexes that rely on their bistability, two electronic ground states in the field of electronic devices (switches and memory device), sensors and the incorporation of SCO molecules into larger materials. Manuscripts dealing with these topics are invited to a forthcoming Special Issue on spin crossover (SCO) in magnetochemistry.

For potential applications in electronics, the existence of an abrupt SCO itself suggests applications as a switch, on or off. To use a molecule as a memory device it needs the SCO, but there also needs to be hysteresis, a difference in T_½ between heating and cooling curves, so that the molecule retains a memory of its past in terms of temperature cycling. Investigation of the parameters that may alter T_½ and the existence of hysteresis such as particle size, the effect of counterions and solvates, and chemical modification of the ligand system are critical in that this gives the experimentalist the ability to finetune these characteristics. Work showing the incorporation of these molecules into a device or prototype is highly significant. Theoretical/computational methods, based on the structure of the ligand or complex, that could explain or predict T_½ or the presence of hysteresis would be of great value to the experimentalist. In addition to electronics, there are potential applications of a spin state change as a chemical sensor. A complex may undergo a spin state change in response to an environmental change.  The thermochromic nature of SCO complexes may allow for easy incorporation into sensing devices. Functionalization of the SCO complex so that it could easily react with other substrates of technical importance is another area of interest. An additional way to modify or finetune the SCO phenomena is to make bi- or polynuclear SCO complexes. These species have magnetic coupling or cooperativity in addition to SCO.  

You may choose our Joint Special Issue in Applied Sciences.

Prof. Dr. Greg A. Brewer
Guest Editor

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