Photoactive proton conductor: poly(4-vinyl pyridine) gel.
We describe a hydrogen-bonded poly(4-vinyl pyridine)-based dielectric material, in which conductivity can be induced due to the presence of side-chain protonated species that form spontaneously when the polymer is dissolved in pyridine. The conductivity of the proton conductive gel can be controlled by direct irradiation at the proton-transfer center: a reversible change of conductivity was observed in response to the on/off switching of 385 nm wavelength radiation. Over most of the range of intensities used, the proton conductivity exhibited a bimolecular character. We present a model of the protonated pyridine side-chain unit in the ground and excited states (DFT level). In the ground state, the protonated pyridine moiety has a cyclic, conjugated structure.
Berestetsky
Naum
N
Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry and the Farkas Center for Light-Induced Processes, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 91904, Jerusalem, Israel.
Vaganova
Evgenia
E
Wachtel
Ellen
E
Leitus
Gregory
G
Goldberg
Alexander
A
Yitzchaik
Shlomo
S