Facile preparation of hybrid thin films composed of spin-crossover nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes for electrical memory devices.

In this study, organic solvent-dispersible nanoparticles of an FeII-1,2,4-triazole spin-crossover complex were synthesized. On mixing the suspension of the spin-crossover nanoparticles with a solution of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), the nanoparticles were strongly adsorbed on the hydrophobic SWCNT bundles, resulting in hybrid network structures. Variable temperature DC electrical conductivity measurements of the hybrid network thin films demonstrated that the conductivities of the composite films were switched by the spin transition of the nanoparticles.

Thin films of spin-crossover coordination polymers with large thermal hysteresis loops prepared by nanoparticle spin coating.

This communication describes the synthesis of spin-crossover nanoparticles, which can disperse in various organic solvents without an excess amount of surfactants. The nanoparticles form homogeneous thin films on substrates by spin coating. The films show abrupt spin transitions with large thermal hysteresis loops.