A DFT Study on the Efficacy of Linking Agents (Sulfur and Nitrogen) to Connect Trans-azobenzene Sandwiched Between Two Gold Electrodes

Electronic structure calculations were performed to analyze the effectiveness of linking agents (sulfur and nitrogen) in connecting the trans-azobenzene sandwiched between two gold surfaces (Au-atoms). It was analyzed the dynamics of the load carrier and the electronic structure of the molecular backbone by applying an external electric field (EF), also a detailed structural, frontier orbital and natural bond orbital analysis (NBO) were performed. From the NBO analysis, it was possible to predict the path of charge flow in the molecular system. Electrostatic potential mapping allowed us to visualize the charge redistribution in the molecular system caused by the EF application. Our results indicate that when the nitrogen atom is used as a linking agent, the azo group of molecules may enhance their conductivity.