Reversible Ion-Conducting Switch by Azobenzene Molecule with Light-Controlled Sol–Gel Transitions of the PNIPAm Ion Gel

Exploring a simple, on-demanding method of manipulating ionic conduction of ionic liquids with large amplitudes is a challenging task. Here, a reversible ion-conducting switch was obtained based on photoswitchable sol–gel transitions. The device was successfully applied in an electronic circuit to switch it on/off. The ion gel was prepared by directly mixing following individual components: azobenzene (Azo), poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAm), and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([C2mim][NTf2]). The mixture is denoted as Azo/PNIPAm/[C2mim][NTf2]. The framework of this gel structure was particularly designed as an analogue to the physical mode of control theory: sensor/amplification/action. Light-induced isomerization of Azo acts as the light sensor to trigger the macroscopic sol–gel transition of PNIPAm assemblies. Such transition works as the amplification, which significantly affects the ionic movements, resulting in high-amplitude switching behavior. A photoswitchable ionic conductive device was demonstrated as action in this paper. Under UV irradiation, the sol-like state of Azo/PNIPAm/[C2mim][NTf2] provided a higher ion conduction (around 1 mS/cm) while being exposed to visible light, and a lower ion conduction (0.04 mS/cm) was observed in the gel state. This photoswitchable ion conductivity device was integrated to a well-designed logic gate to switch circuits on or off. This confirms the possible practical application of the sol–gel device, which outputs stable and detectable electrical signals. The research here demonstrates a simple but effective strategy to control the ionic movements, which can be applied in optoelectronic devices. The principle can be used to design different types of molecular optoelectronic switches.