Spin state bistability in (Mn, Zn) doped Fe(phen)2(NCS)2 molecular thin film nanocrystals on quartz

Abstract

Spin state bistability within high spin (HS) and low spin (LS) state is investigated in undoped and (Zn, Mn) doped spin crossover (SCO) complex Fe(phen)2(NCS)2 thin films (thickness ∼ 300 nm) deposited by dip-coating technique at room temperature on the quartz substrate. The X-ray diffraction studies clearly show the formation of crystalline structure of SCO complexes. The growth of the thin films was indisputably confirmed by electron microscopy and optical studies. The optical absorption peak between 535-557 nm was clearly observed, and that corresponds to 1A1g → 1T1g ligand field absorption in undoped and metal-doped (Zn, Mn) SCO thin films. The high spin (HS) state of the SCO films at room temperature was confirmed by Raman spectra. The bistability of spin states is clearly revealed by the well pronounced thermal hysteresis loop in magnetization measurements. The spin transition temperature (T1/2) and loop width are found to be critically dependent on metal doping and suggested the possibility of tuning these parameters in spin-crossover thin films to design future spin-based devices.