Thin films with implemented molecular switches for the application in polymer-based optical waveguides

Complexes like iron (II)-triazoles exhibit spin crossover behavior at ambient temperature and are often considered for possible application. In previous studies, we implemented complexes of this type into polymer nanofibers and first polymer-based optical waveguide sensor systems. In our current study, we synthesized complexes of this type, implemented them into polymers and obtained composites through drop casting and doctor blading. We present that a certain combination of polymer and complex can lead to composites with high potential for optical devices. For this purpose, we used two different complexes \([\text {Fe}(\text {atrz})_{3}](2\, \text {ns})2\) $[\text{Fe}{(\text{atrz})}_3](2\text{ns})2$ and \([\text {Fe}(\text {atrz})_{3}]\text {Cl}_{1.5}(\text {BF}_{4})_{0.5}\) $[\text{Fe}{(\text{atrz})}_3]{\text{Cl}}_{1.5}{({\text{BF}}_4)}_{0.5}$ with different polymers for each composite. We show through transmission measurements and UV/VIS spectroscopy that the optical properties of these composite materials can reversibly change due to the spin crossover effect.