The potential applications of Spin Crossover (SCO) materials in information storage, sensors, and molecular switches have increased interest. These materials undergo reversible transitions between high-spin and low-spin states in the metal center of a coordination complex induced by external stimuli. In this study, we aim to investigate the influence of confinement on SCO properties by intercalating the [Fe(phen)₂(NCS)₂] within zirconium phosphate (ZrP) nanoparticles. We successfully synthesized the [Fe(phen)₂(NCS)₂] using a modified wet method and prepared the ZrP via a reflux method. Future work will focus on the intercalation of the [Fe(phen)₂(NCS)₂] into the ZrP structure using an ion-exchange method. We employed a suite of techniques, including powder X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared, and thermogravimetric analysis, to characterize the resulting hybrid material, confirm successful intercalation, and assess its thermal stability. We aim to assess the SCO properties of the [Fe(phen)₂(NCS)₂]:ZrP, hybrid material, through magnetic susceptibility measurements and Mössbauer spectroscopy at variable temperatures and magnetic fields. We plan to expand our analysis by employing X-ray magnetic circular dichroism at the new High Magnetic Field beamline at Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source (projected to be finally constructed by the end of 2025). Through this approach, we can determine how confinement affects the SCO spin transition temperatures, crystal field modifications, cooperativity effects, and hysteresis curve changes. Understanding these properties could provide valuable insights into the design and optimization of SCO materials for various applications in molecular electronics and information storage.

Christopher Pollock

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