Surface morphology-induced spin-crossover-inactive high-spin state in a coordination framework

Here we report a surface morphology-induced spin state control in ultrathin films of a spin-crossover (SCO) material. The surface microstructure of film domains exhibited selectivity, to stabilize the SCO-active high-spin (HS) or SCO-inactive high-spin (HS2) states. To date, the latter has only been confirmed in the bulk counterpart at gigapascal pressure.