1
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Singh N, Malik A, Sethi P, Mondal PC. Programmed Heterostructures for Enhanced Electrical Conductivity. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024:e2403108. [PMID: 39037401 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202403108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
Interfacial electron transport in multicomponent systems plays a crucial role in controlling electrical conductivity. Organic-inorganic heterostructures electronic devices where all the entities are covalently bonded to each other can reduce interfacial electrical resistance, thus suitable for low-power consumption electronic operations. Programmed heterostructures of covalently bonded interfaces between ITO-ethynylbenzene (EB) and EB-zinc ferrite (ZF) nanoparticles, a programmed structure showing 67 978-fold enhancement of electrical current as compared to pristine NPs-based two terminal devices are created. An electrochemical approach is adopted to prepare nearly π-conjugated EB oligomer films of thickness ≈26 nm on ITO-electrode on which ZF NPs are chemically attached. A "flip-chip" method is employed to combine two EB-ZnFe2O4 NPs-ITO to probe electrical conductivity and charge conduction mechanism. The EB-ZnFe2O4 NPs exhibit strong electronic coupling at ITO-EB and EB-NPs with an energy barrier of 0.13 eV between the ITO Fermi level and the LUMO of EB-ZF NPs for efficient charge transport. Both the DC and AC-based electrical measurements manifest a low resistance at ITO-EB and EB-ZF NPs, revealing enhanced electrical current at ± 1.5 V. The programmed heterostructure devices can meet a strategy to create well-controlled molecular layers for electronic applications toward miniaturized components that shorten charge carrier distance, and interfacial resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Singh
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, 208016, India
| | - Ankur Malik
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, 208016, India
| | - Paras Sethi
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, 208016, India
| | - Prakash Chandra Mondal
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, 208016, India
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2
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Zhang Y, Liang H, Qi P, Xu Z, Fei H, Guo C. Deciphering the Roles of Interfacial Amino Acids in Inter-Protein Charge Transport. NANO LETTERS 2024; 24:4178-4185. [PMID: 38552164 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.4c00164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Elucidating charge transport (CT) through proteins is critical for gaining insights into ubiquitous CT chain reactions in biological systems and developing high-performance bioelectronic devices. While intra-protein CT has been extensively studied, crucial knowledge about inter-protein CT via interfacial amino acids is still absent due to the structural complexity. Herein, by loading cytochrome c (Cyt c) on well-defined peptide self-assembled monolayers to mimic the protein-protein interface, we provide a precisely controlled platform for identifying the roles of interfacial amino acids in solid-state CT via peptide-Cyt c junctions. The terminal amino acid of peptides serves as a fine-tuning factor for both the interfacial interaction between peptides and Cyt c and the immobilized Cyt c orientation, resulting in a nearly 10-fold difference in current through peptide-Cyt c junctions with varied asymmetry. This work provides a valuable platform for studying CT across proteins and contributes to the understanding of fundamental principles governing inter-protein CT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongkang Zhang
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, 299 Bayi Road, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, China
| | - Han Liang
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, 299 Bayi Road, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, China
| | - Pan Qi
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, 299 Bayi Road, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, China
| | - Zhongchen Xu
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, 299 Bayi Road, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, China
| | - Houguo Fei
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, 299 Bayi Road, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, China
| | - Cunlan Guo
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, 299 Bayi Road, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, China
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3
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Bâldea I. Can tunneling current in molecular junctions be so strongly temperature dependent to challenge a hopping mechanism? Analytical formulas answer this question and provide important insight into large area junctions. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2024; 26:6540-6556. [PMID: 38328878 DOI: 10.1039/d3cp05046g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Analytical equations like Richardson-Dushman's or Shockley's provided a general, if simplified conceptual background, which was widely accepted in conventional electronics and made a fundamental contribution to advances in the field. In the attempt to develop a (highly desirable, but so far missing) counterpart for molecular electronics, in this work, we deduce a general analytical formula for the tunneling current through molecular junctions mediated by a single level that is valid for any bias voltage and temperature. Starting from this expression, which is exact and obviates cumbersome numerical integration, in the low and high temperature limits we also provide analytical formulas expressing the current in terms of elementary functions. They are accurate for broad model parameter ranges relevant for real molecular junctions. Within this theoretical framework we show that: (i) by varying the temperature, the tunneling current can vary by several orders of magnitude, thus debunking the myth that a strong temperature dependence of the current is evidence for a hopping mechanism, (ii) real molecular junctions can undergo a gradual (Sommerfeld-Arrhenius) transition from a weakly temperature dependent to a strongly ("exponential") temperature dependent current that can be tuned by the applied bias, and (iii) important insight into large area molecular junctions with eutectic gallium indium alloy (EGaIn) top electrodes can be gained. E.g., merely based on transport data, we estimate that the current carrying molecules represent only a fraction of f ≈ 4 × 10-4 out of the total number of molecules in a large area Au-S-(CH2)13-CH3/EGaIn junction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioan Bâldea
- Theoretical Chemistry, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 229, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
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4
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Jang J, Jo JW, Ohto T, Yoon HJ. Seebeck Effect in Molecular Wires Facilitating Long-Range Transport. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:4922-4929. [PMID: 38324711 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c14012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
The study of molecular wires facilitating long-range charge transport is of fundamental interest for the development of various technologies in (bio)organic and molecular electronics. Defining the nature of long-range charge transport is challenging as electrical characterization does not offer the ability to distinguish a tunneling mechanism from the other. Here, we show that investigation of the Seebeck effect provides the ability. We examine the length dependence of the Seebeck coefficient in electrografted bis-terpyridine Ru(II) complex films. The Seebeck coefficient ranges from 307 to 1027 μV/K, with an increasing rate of 95.7 μV/(K nm) as the film thickness increases to 10 nm. Quantum-chemical calculations unveil that the nearly overlapped molecular-orbital energy level of the Ru complex with the Fermi level accounts for the giant thermopower. Landauer-Büttiker probe simulations indicate that the significant length dependence evinces the Seebeck effect dominated by coherent near-resonant tunneling rather than thermal hopping. This study enhances our comprehension of long-range charge transport, paving the way for efficient electronic and thermoelectric materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiung Jang
- Department of Chemistry, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea
| | - Jeong Woo Jo
- Department of Chemistry, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea
| | - Tatsuhiko Ohto
- Department of Materials Design Innovation Engineering, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Aichi 464-8603, Japan
| | - Hyo Jae Yoon
- Department of Chemistry, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea
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5
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Vacek J, Zatloukalová M, Dorčák V, Cifra M, Futera Z, Ostatná V. Electrochemistry in sensing of molecular interactions of proteins and their behavior in an electric field. Mikrochim Acta 2023; 190:442. [PMID: 37847341 PMCID: PMC10582152 DOI: 10.1007/s00604-023-05999-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
Electrochemical methods can be used not only for the sensitive analysis of proteins but also for deeper research into their structure, transport functions (transfer of electrons and protons), and sensing their interactions with soft and solid surfaces. Last but not least, electrochemical tools are useful for investigating the effect of an electric field on protein structure, the direct application of electrochemical methods for controlling protein function, or the micromanipulation of supramolecular protein structures. There are many experimental arrangements (modalities), from the classic configuration that works with an electrochemical cell to miniaturized electrochemical sensors and microchip platforms. The support of computational chemistry methods which appropriately complement the interpretation framework of experimental results is also important. This text describes recent directions in electrochemical methods for the determination of proteins and briefly summarizes available methodologies for the selective labeling of proteins using redox-active probes. Attention is also paid to the theoretical aspects of electron transport and the effect of an external electric field on the structure of selected proteins. Instead of providing a comprehensive overview, we aim to highlight areas of interest that have not been summarized recently, but, at the same time, represent current trends in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Vacek
- Department of Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Hnevotinska 3, 77515, Olomouc, Czech Republic.
| | - Martina Zatloukalová
- Department of Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Hnevotinska 3, 77515, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Vlastimil Dorčák
- Department of Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Hnevotinska 3, 77515, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Cifra
- Institute of Photonics and Electronics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Chaberska 1014/57, 18200, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Zdeněk Futera
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branisovska 1760, 37005, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Veronika Ostatná
- Institute of Biophysics, The Czech Academy of Sciences, v.v.i., Kralovopolska 135, 61200, Brno, Czech Republic
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6
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Bâldea I. Can room-temperature data for tunneling molecular junctions be analyzed within a theoretical framework assuming zero temperature? Phys Chem Chem Phys 2023. [PMID: 37439691 DOI: 10.1039/d3cp00740e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
Routinely, experiments on tunneling molecular junctions report values of conductances (GRT) and currents (IRT) measured at room temperature. On the other hand, theoretical approaches based on simplified models provide analytic formulas for the conductance (G0K) and current (I0K) valid at zero temperature. Therefore, interrogating the applicability of the theoretical results deduced in the zero-temperature limit to real experimental situations at room temperature (i.e., GRT ≈ G0K and IRT ≈ I0K) is a relevant aspect. Quantifying the pertaining temperature impact on the transport properties computed within the ubiquitous single-level model with Lorentzian transmission is the specific aim of the present work. Comprehensive results are presented for broad ranges of the relevant parameters (level's energy offset ε0 and width Γa, and applied bias V) that safely cover values characterizing currently fabricated junctions. They demonstrate that the strongest thermal effects occur at biases below resonance (2|ε0| - δε0 - 0.3 ≲ |eV| - 0.3 ≲ 2|ε0|). At fixed V, they affect an ε0-range whose largest width δε0 is about nine times larger than the thermal energy (δε0 ≈ 3πkBT) at Γa → 0. The numerous figures included aim to convey a quick overview on the applicability of the zero-temperature limit to a specific real junction. In quantitative terms, the conditions of applicability are expressed as mathematical inequalities involving elementary functions. They constitute the basis of a proposed interactive data-fitting procedure, which aims to guide experimentalists interested in data processing in a specific case.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioan Bâldea
- Theoretical Chemistry, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 229, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
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7
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Kontkanen OV, Biriukov D, Futera Z. Applicability of perturbed matrix method for charge transfer studies at bio/metallic interfaces: a case of azurin. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2023; 25:12479-12489. [PMID: 37097130 DOI: 10.1039/d3cp00197k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2023]
Abstract
As the field of nanoelectronics based on biomolecules such as peptides and proteins rapidly grows, there is a need for robust computational methods able to reliably predict charge transfer properties at bio/metallic interfaces. Traditionally, hybrid quantum-mechanical/molecular-mechanical techniques are employed for systems where the electron hopping transfer mechanism is applicable to determine physical parameters controlling the thermodynamics and kinetics of charge transfer processes. However, these approaches are limited by a relatively high computational cost when extensive sampling of a configurational space is required, like in the case of soft biomatter. For these applications, semi-empirical approaches such as the perturbed matrix method (PMM) have been developed and successfully used to study charge-transfer processes in biomolecules. Here, we explore the performance of PMM on prototypical redox-active protein azurin in various environments, from solution to vacuum interfaces with gold surfaces and protein junction. We systematically benchmarked the robustness and convergence of the method with respect to the quantum-centre size, size of the Hamiltonian, number of samples, and level of theory. We show that PMM can adequately capture all the trends associated with the structural and electronic changes related to azurin oxidation at bio/metallic interfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Outi Vilhelmiina Kontkanen
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branisovska 1760, 370 05 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.
| | - Denys Biriukov
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branisovska 1760, 370 05 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Flemingovo nam. 2, 16610 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Zdenek Futera
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branisovska 1760, 370 05 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.
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8
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Bera S, Govinda S, Fereiro JA, Pecht I, Sheves M, Cahen D. Biotin Binding Hardly Affects Electron Transport Efficiency across Streptavidin Solid-State Junctions. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2023; 39:1394-1403. [PMID: 36648410 PMCID: PMC9893813 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.2c02378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The electron transport (ETp) efficiency of solid-state protein-mediated junctions is highly influenced by the presence of electron-rich organic cofactors or transition metal ions. Hence, we chose to investigate an interesting cofactor-free non-redox protein, streptavidin (STV), which has unmatched strong binding affinity for an organic small-molecule ligand, biotin, which lacks any electron-rich features. We describe for the first time meso-scale ETp via electrical junctions of STV monolayers and focus on the question of whether the rate of ETp across both native and thiolated STV monolayers is influenced by ligand binding, a process that we show to cause some structural conformation changes in the STV monolayers. Au nanowire-electrode-protein monolayer-microelectrode junctions, fabricated by modifying an earlier procedure to improve the yields of usable junctions, were employed for ETp measurements. Our results on compactly integrated, dense, uniform, ∼3 nm thick STV monolayers indicate that, notwithstanding the slight structural changes in the STV monolayers upon biotin binding, there is no statistically significant conductance change between the free STV and that bound to biotin. The ETp temperature (T) dependence over the 80-300 K range is very small but with an unusual, slightly negative (metallic-like) dependence toward room temperature. Such dependence can be accounted for by the reversible structural shrinkage of the STV at temperatures below 160 K.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudipta Bera
- Department
of Molecular Chemistry and Materials Science, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Sharada Govinda
- Department
of Molecular Chemistry and Materials Science, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Jerry A. Fereiro
- Department
of Molecular Chemistry and Materials Science, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
- The
School of Chemistry, Indian Institute of
Science Education and Research, Thiruvananthapuram, Maruthamala, Kerala 695551, India
| | - Israel Pecht
- Department
of Immunology and Regenerative Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Mordechai Sheves
- Department
of Molecular Chemistry and Materials Science, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - David Cahen
- Department
of Molecular Chemistry and Materials Science, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
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9
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Zinelli R, Soni S, Cornelissen JJLM, Michel-Souzy S, Nijhuis CA. Charge Transport across Proteins inside Proteins: Tunneling across Encapsulin Protein Cages and the Effect of Cargo Proteins. Biomolecules 2023; 13:174. [PMID: 36671559 PMCID: PMC9855946 DOI: 10.3390/biom13010174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Charge transport across proteins can be surprisingly efficient over long distances-so-called long-range tunneling-but it is still unclear as to why and under which conditions (e.g., presence of co-factors, type of cargo) the long-range tunneling regime can be accessed. This paper describes molecular tunneling junctions based on an encapsulin (Enc), which is a large protein cage with a diameter of 24 nm that can be loaded with various types of (small) proteins, also referred to as "cargo". We demonstrate with dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy that Enc, with and without cargo, can be made stable in solution and immobilized on metal electrodes without aggregation. We investigated the electronic properties of Enc in EGaIn-based tunnel junctions (EGaIn = eutectic alloy of Ga and In that is widely used to contact (bio)molecular monolayers) by measuring the current density for a large range of applied bias of ±2.5 V. The encapsulated cargo has an important effect on the electrical properties of the junctions. The measured current densities are higher for junctions with Enc loaded with redox-active cargo (ferritin-like protein) than those junctions without cargo or redox-inactive cargo (green fluorescent protein). These findings open the door to charge transport studies across complex biomolecular hierarchical structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Zinelli
- Hybrid Materials for Opto-Electronics Group, Department of Molecules and Materials, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, Molecules Center and Center for Brain-Inspired Nano Systems, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 2017, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands
- Biomolecular NanoTechnology, Department of Molecules and Materials, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, Molecules Center and Center for Brain-Inspired Nano Systems, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 2017, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Saurabh Soni
- Hybrid Materials for Opto-Electronics Group, Department of Molecules and Materials, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, Molecules Center and Center for Brain-Inspired Nano Systems, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 2017, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Jeroen J. L. M. Cornelissen
- Biomolecular NanoTechnology, Department of Molecules and Materials, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, Molecules Center and Center for Brain-Inspired Nano Systems, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 2017, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Sandra Michel-Souzy
- Biomolecular NanoTechnology, Department of Molecules and Materials, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, Molecules Center and Center for Brain-Inspired Nano Systems, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 2017, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Christian A. Nijhuis
- Hybrid Materials for Opto-Electronics Group, Department of Molecules and Materials, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, Molecules Center and Center for Brain-Inspired Nano Systems, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 2017, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands
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10
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Li Y, Root SE, Belding L, Park J, Yoon HJ, Huang C, Baghbanzadeh M, Whitesides GM. Charge Transport Measured Using the EGaIn Junction through Self-Assembled Monolayers Immersed in Organic Liquids. J Phys Chem B 2023; 127:407-424. [PMID: 36580625 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.2c07901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
This paper describes measurements of charge transport by tunneling through molecular junctions comprising a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) supported by a template-stripped metal bottom electrode (MTS), which has been immersed in an organic liquid and contacted by a conical Ga2O3/EGaIn top electrode. These junctions formed in organic liquids are robust; they show stabilities and yields similar to those formed in air. We formed junctions under seven external environments: (I) air, (II) perfluorocarbons, (III) linear hydrocarbons, (IV) cyclic hydrocarbons, (V) aromatic compounds, (VI) large, irregularly shaped hydrocarbons, and (VII) dimethyl siloxanes. Several different lengths of SAMs of n-alkanethiolates, S(CH2)n-1CH3 with n = 4-18, and two different kinds of bottom electrodes (AgTS or AuTS) are employed to assess the mechanism underlying the observed changes in tunneling currents. Measurements of current density through junctions immersed in perfluorocarbons (II) are comparable to junctions measured in air. Junctions immersed in other organic liquids show reductions in the values of current density, compared to the values in air, ranging from 1 (III) to 5 orders of magnitude (IV). We interpret the most plausible mechanism for these reductions in current densities to be an increase in the length of the tunneling pathway, reflecting the formation of thin (0.5-1.5 nm) liquid films at the interface between the SAM and the Ga2O3/EGaIn electrode. Remarkably, the thickness of the liquid film─estimated by the simplified Simmons model, measurements of electrical breakdown of the junction, and simulations of molecular dynamics─is consistent with the existing observations of structured liquid layers that form between two flat interfaces from measurements obtained by the surface force apparatus. These results suggest the use of the EGaIn junction and measurements of charge transport by tunneling as a new form of surface analysis, with the applications in the study of near-surface, weak, molecular interactions and the behavior of liquid films adjacent to non-polar interfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Li
- Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing100086, China.,Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, 12 Oxford Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts02138, United States
| | - Samuel E Root
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, 12 Oxford Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts02138, United States
| | - Lee Belding
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, 12 Oxford Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts02138, United States
| | - Junwoo Park
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, 12 Oxford Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts02138, United States.,Department of Chemistry, Sogang University, Seoul04107, Korea
| | - Hyo Jae Yoon
- Department of Chemistry, Korea University, Seoul02841, Korea
| | - Cancan Huang
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, 12 Oxford Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts02138, United States
| | - Mostafa Baghbanzadeh
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, 12 Oxford Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts02138, United States
| | - George M Whitesides
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, 12 Oxford Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts02138, United States
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11
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Karuppannan SK, Nijhuis CA. A Method to Investigate the Mechanism of Charge Transport Across Bio-Molecular Junctions with Ferritin. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2671:241-255. [PMID: 37308649 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3222-2_14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
To investigate the mechanisms of charge transport (CT) across biomolecular tunnel junctions, it is required to make electrical contacts by a non-invasive method that leaves the biomolecules unaltered. Although different methods to form biomolecular junctions are available, here we describe the EGaIn-method because it allows us to readily form electrical contacts to monolayers of biomolecules in ordinary laboratory settings and to probe CT as a function of voltage, temperature, or magnetic field. This method relies on a non-Newtonian liquid-metal ally of Ga and In with a few nm thin layer of GaOx floating on its surface giving this material non-Newtonian properties allowing it to be shaped in to cone-shaped tips or stabilized in microchannels. These EGaIn structures form stable contacts to monolayers making it possible to investigate CT mechanisms across biomolecules in great detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Senthil Kumar Karuppannan
- National Quantum Fables Foundry (NQFF), Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Christian A Nijhuis
- Hybrid Materials for Opto-Electronics Group, Department of Molecules and Materials, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, Molecules Center and Center for Brain-Inspired Nano Systems, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands.
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12
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Lagunas A, Belloir C, Briand L, Gorostiza P, Samitier J. Determination of the nanoscale electrical properties of olfactory receptor hOR1A1 and their dependence on ligand binding: Towards the development of capacitance-operated odorant biosensors. Biosens Bioelectron 2022; 218:114755. [PMID: 36191583 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2022.114755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The transduction of odorant binding into cellular signaling by olfactory receptors (ORs) is not understood and knowing its mechanism would enable developing new pharmacology and biohybrid electronic detectors of volatile organic compounds bearing high sensitivity and selectivity. The electrical characterization of ORs in bulk experiments is subject to microscopic models and assumptions. We have directly determined the nanoscale electrical properties of ORs immobilized in a fixed orientation, and their change upon odorant binding, using electrochemical scanning tunneling microscopy (EC-STM) in near-physiological conditions. Recordings of current versus time, distance, and electrochemical potential allows determining the OR impedance parameters and their dependence with odorant binding. Our results allow validating OR structural-electrostatic models and their functional activation processes, and anticipating a novel macroscopic biosensor based on ORs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Lagunas
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials, and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), av. Monforte de Lemos, 3-5. Pabellón 11. Planta 0, 28029, Madrid, Spain; Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, c/Baldiri i Reixac 10-12, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Christine Belloir
- Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l'Alimentation, CNRS, INRAE, Institut Agro Dijon, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 9E Bd Jeanne d'Arc, 21000, Dijon, France
| | - Loïc Briand
- Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l'Alimentation, CNRS, INRAE, Institut Agro Dijon, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 9E Bd Jeanne d'Arc, 21000, Dijon, France
| | - Pau Gorostiza
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials, and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), av. Monforte de Lemos, 3-5. Pabellón 11. Planta 0, 28029, Madrid, Spain; Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, c/Baldiri i Reixac 10-12, 08028, Barcelona, Spain; Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), pg. Lluís Companys 23, Barcelona, 08010, Spain
| | - Josep Samitier
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials, and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), av. Monforte de Lemos, 3-5. Pabellón 11. Planta 0, 28029, Madrid, Spain; Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, c/Baldiri i Reixac 10-12, 08028, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Electronics and Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Physics, University of Barcelona (UB), c/Martí i Franquès 1, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.
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13
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Estimating the Number of Molecules in Molecular Junctions Merely Based on the Low Bias Tunneling Conductance at Variable Temperature. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232314985. [PMID: 36499309 PMCID: PMC9737784 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232314985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Temperature (T) dependent conductance G=G(T) data measured in molecular junctions are routinely taken as evidence for a two-step hopping mechanism. The present paper emphasizes that this is not necessarily the case. A curve of lnG versus 1/T decreasing almost linearly (Arrhenius-like regime) and eventually switching to a nearly horizontal plateau (Sommerfeld regime), or possessing a slope gradually decreasing with increasing 1/T is fully compatible with a single-step tunneling mechanism. The results for the dependence of G on T presented include both analytical exact and accurate approximate formulas and numerical simulations. These theoretical results are general, also in the sense that they are not limited, e.g., to the (single molecule electromigrated (SET) or large area EGaIn) fabrication platforms, which are chosen for exemplification merely in view of the available experimental data needed for analysis. To be specific, we examine in detail transport measurements for molecular junctions based on ferrocene (Fc). As a particularly important finding, we show how the present analytic formulas for G=G(T) can be utilized to compute the ratio f=Aeff/An between the effective and nominal areas of large area Fc-based junctions with an EGaIn top electrode. Our estimate of f≈0.6×10-4 is comparable with previously reported values based on completely different methods for related large area molecular junctions.
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14
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Gupta N, Karuppannan SK, Pasula RR, Vilan A, Martin J, Xu W, May EM, Pike AR, Astier HPA, Salim T, Lim S, Nijhuis CA. Temperature-Dependent Coherent Tunneling across Graphene-Ferritin Biomolecular Junctions. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:44665-44675. [PMID: 36148983 PMCID: PMC9542697 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c11263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the mechanisms of charge transport (CT) across biomolecules in solid-state devices is imperative to realize biomolecular electronic devices in a predictive manner. Although it is well-accepted that biomolecule-electrode interactions play an essential role, it is often overlooked. This paper reveals the prominent role of graphene interfaces with Fe-storing proteins in the net CT across their tunnel junctions. Here, ferritin (AfFtn-AA) is adsorbed on the graphene by noncovalent amine-graphene interactions confirmed with Raman spectroscopy. In contrast to junctions with metal electrodes, graphene has a vanishing density of states toward its intrinsic Fermi level ("Dirac point"), which increases away from the Fermi level. Therefore, the amount of charge carriers is highly sensitive to temperature and electrostatic charging (induced doping), as deduced from a detailed analysis of CT as a function of temperature and iron loading. Remarkably, the temperature dependence can be fully explained within the coherent tunneling regime due to excitation of hot carriers. Graphene is not only demonstrated as an alternative platform to study CT across biomolecular tunnel junctions, but it also opens rich possibilities in employing interface electrostatics in tuning CT behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nipun
Kumar Gupta
- Department
of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore 117543, Singapore
- Centre
for Advanced 2D Materials, National University
of Singapore, 6 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117546, Singapore
| | - Senthil Kumar Karuppannan
- Department
of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore 117543, Singapore
| | - Rupali Reddy Pasula
- School
of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 70 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637457, Singapore
| | - Ayelet Vilan
- Department
of Chemical and Biological Physics, Weizmann
Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Jens Martin
- Centre
for Advanced 2D Materials, National University
of Singapore, 6 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117546, Singapore
| | - Wentao Xu
- Centre
for Advanced 2D Materials, National University
of Singapore, 6 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117546, Singapore
| | - Esther Maria May
- Chemistry-School
of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle
University, Newcastle
upon Tyne NE1 7RU, U.K.
| | - Andrew R. Pike
- School
of
Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang
Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Hippolyte P. A.
G. Astier
- Department
of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore 117543, Singapore
| | - Teddy Salim
- School
of
Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang
Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Sierin Lim
- School
of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 70 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637457, Singapore
| | - Christian A. Nijhuis
- Department
of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore 117543, Singapore
- Centre
for Advanced 2D Materials, National University
of Singapore, 6 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117546, Singapore
- Hybrid
Materials for Opto-Electronics Group, Department of Molecules and
Materials, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology and Centre for Brain-Inspired
Nano Systems, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands
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15
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Gupta NK, Okamoto N, Karuppannan SK, Pasula RR, Ziyu Z, Qi DC, Lim S, Nakamura M, Nijhuis CA. The Role of Structural Order in the Mechanism of Charge Transport across Tunnel Junctions with Various Iron-Storing Proteins. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2022; 18:e2203338. [PMID: 36103613 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202203338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In biomolecular electronics, the role of structural order in charge transport (CT) is poorly understood. It has been reported that the metal oxide cores of protein cages (e.g., iron oxide and ferrihydrite nanoparticles (NPs) present in ferritin and E2-LFtn, which is E2 protein engineered with an iron-binding sequence) play an important role in the mechanism of CT. At the same time, the NP core also plays a major role in the structural integrity of the proteins. This paper describes the role of structural order in CT across tunnel junctions by comparing three iron-storing proteins. They are (1) DNA binding protein from starved cells (Dps, diameter (∅) = 9 nm); (2) engineered archaeal ferritin (AfFtn-AA, ∅ = 12 nm); and (3) engineered E2 of pyruvate dehydrogenase enzyme complex (E2-LFtn, ∅ = 25 nm). Both holo-Dps and apo-Dps proteins undergo CT by coherent tunneling because their globular architecture and relative structural stability provide a coherent conduction pathway. In contrast, apo-AfFtn-AA forms a disordered structure across which charges have to tunnel incoherently, but holo-AfFtn-AA retains its globular structure and supports coherent tunneling. The large E2-LFtn always forms disordered structures across which charges incoherently tunnel regardless of the presence of the NP core. These findings highlight the importance of structural order in the mechanism of CT across biomolecular tunnel junctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nipun Kumar Gupta
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive, Singapore, 117543, Singapore
- Centre for Advanced 2D Materials, National University of Singapore, 6 Science Drive 2, Singapore, 117546, Singapore
| | - Naofumi Okamoto
- Division of Materials Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Ikoma, Nara, 630-0192, Japan
| | - Senthil Kumar Karuppannan
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive, Singapore, 117543, Singapore
- National Quantum Fabless Foundry (NQFF), Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis Building, Singapore, 138634, Singapore
| | - Rupali Reddy Pasula
- School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Nanyang Technological University, 70 Nanyang Drive, Singapore, 637457, Singapore
| | - Zhang Ziyu
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive, Singapore, 117543, Singapore
| | - Dong-Chen Qi
- Centre for Materials Science, School of Chemistry and Physics, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, 4001, Australia
| | - Sierin Lim
- School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Nanyang Technological University, 70 Nanyang Drive, Singapore, 637457, Singapore
- Institute for Digital Molecular Analytics and Science, Nanyang Technological University, 59 Nanyang Drive, Experimental Medicine Building, Singapore, 636921, Singapore
| | - Masakazu Nakamura
- Division of Materials Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Ikoma, Nara, 630-0192, Japan
| | - Christian A Nijhuis
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive, Singapore, 117543, Singapore
- Centre for Advanced 2D Materials, National University of Singapore, 6 Science Drive 2, Singapore, 117546, Singapore
- Department of Molecules and Materials, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, and Center for Brain-Inspired Nano Systems (BRAINS), Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, Enschede, 7500 AE, The Netherlands
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16
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Labra-Muñoz JA, de Reuver A, Koeleman F, Huber M, van der Zant HSJ. Ferritin-Based Single-Electron Devices. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12050705. [PMID: 35625632 PMCID: PMC9138424 DOI: 10.3390/biom12050705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
We report on the fabrication of single-electron devices based on horse-spleen ferritin particles. At low temperatures the current vs. voltage characteristics are stable, enabling the acquisition of reproducible data that establishes the Coulomb blockade as the main transport mechanism through them. Excellent agreement between the experimental data and the Coulomb blockade theory is demonstrated. Single-electron charge transport in ferritin, thus, establishes a route for further characterization of their, e.g., magnetic, properties down to the single-particle level, with prospects for electronic and medical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline A. Labra-Muñoz
- Department of Physics, Huygens-Kamerlingh Onnes Laboratory, Leiden University, Niels Bohrweg 2, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands;
- Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Orentzweg 1, 2628 CJ Delft, The Netherlands; (A.d.R.); (F.K.)
- Correspondence: (J.A.L.-M.); (H.S.J.v.d.Z.)
| | - Arie de Reuver
- Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Orentzweg 1, 2628 CJ Delft, The Netherlands; (A.d.R.); (F.K.)
| | - Friso Koeleman
- Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Orentzweg 1, 2628 CJ Delft, The Netherlands; (A.d.R.); (F.K.)
| | - Martina Huber
- Department of Physics, Huygens-Kamerlingh Onnes Laboratory, Leiden University, Niels Bohrweg 2, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands;
| | - Herre S. J. van der Zant
- Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Orentzweg 1, 2628 CJ Delft, The Netherlands; (A.d.R.); (F.K.)
- Correspondence: (J.A.L.-M.); (H.S.J.v.d.Z.)
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17
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Qiu X, Chiechi RC. Printable logic circuits comprising self-assembled protein complexes. Nat Commun 2022; 13:2312. [PMID: 35484124 PMCID: PMC9050843 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30038-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper describes the fabrication of digital logic circuits comprising resistors and diodes made from protein complexes and wired together using printed liquid metal electrodes. These resistors and diodes exhibit temperature-independent charge-transport over a distance of approximately 10 nm and require no encapsulation or special handling. The function of the protein complexes is determined entirely by self-assembly. When induced to self-assembly into anisotropic monolayers, the collective action of the aligned dipole moments increases the electrical conductivity of the ensemble in one direction and decreases it in the other. When induced to self-assemble into isotropic monolayers, the dipole moments are randomized and the electrical conductivity is approximately equal in both directions. We demonstrate the robustness and utility of these all-protein logic circuits by constructing pulse modulators based on AND and OR logic gates that function nearly identically to simulated circuits. These results show that digital circuits with useful functionality can be derived from readily obtainable biomolecules using simple, straightforward fabrication techniques that exploit molecular self-assembly, realizing one of the primary goals of molecular electronics. Proteins are promising molecular materials for next-generation electronic devices. Here, the authors fabricated printable digital logic circuits comprising resistors and diodes from self-assembled photosystem I complexes that enable pulse modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinkai Qiu
- Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG, Groningen, The Netherlands. .,Optoelectronics Group, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, UK.
| | - Ryan C Chiechi
- Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG, Groningen, The Netherlands. .,Department of Chemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695-8204, United States.
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18
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Biomolecular control over local gating in bilayer graphene induced by ferritin. iScience 2022; 25:104128. [PMID: 35434555 PMCID: PMC9010634 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Electrical field-induced charge modulation in graphene-based devices at the nanoscale with ultrahigh density carrier accumulation is important for various practical applications. In bilayer graphene (BLG), inversion symmetry can simply be broken by an external electric field. However, control over charge carrier density at the nanometer scale is a challenging task. We demonstrate local gating of BLG in the nanometer range by adsorption of AfFtnAA (which is a bioengineered ferritin, an iron-storing globular protein with ∅ = 12 nm). Low-temperature electrical transport measurements with field-effect transistors with these AfFtnAA/BLG surfaces show hysteresis with two Dirac peaks. One peak at a gate voltage VBG = 35 V is associated with pristine BLG, while the second peak at VBG = 5 V results from local doping by ferritin. This charge trapping at the biomolecular length scale offers a straightforward and non-destructive method to alter the local electronic structure of BLG. Local gating with 12 nm resolution by charge trapping in ferritin. Adsorption of ferritin on graphene via non-invasive self-assembly. Charging controlled via iron oxide loading of ferritin. Visualization of individual ferritins on graphene by atomic force microscopy.
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19
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Zhang B, Ryan E, Wang X, Song W, Lindsay S. Electronic Transport in Molecular Wires of Precisely Controlled Length Built from Modular Proteins. ACS NANO 2022; 16:1671-1680. [PMID: 35029115 PMCID: PMC9279515 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c10830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
DNA molecular wires have been studied extensively because of the ease with which molecules of controlled length and composition can be synthesized. The same has not been true for proteins. Here, we have synthesized and studied a series of consensus tetratricopeptide repeat (CTPR) proteins, spanning 4 to 20 nm in length, in increments of 4 nm. For lengths in excess of 6 nm, their conductance exceeds that of the canonical molecular wire, oligo(phenylene-ethylenene), because of the more gradual decay of conductance with length in the protein. We show that, while the conductance decay fits an exponential (characteristic of quantum tunneling) and not a linear increase of resistance with length (characteristic of hopping transport), it is also accounted for by a square-law dependence on length (characteristic of weakly driven hopping). Measurements of the energy dependence of the decay length rule out the quantum tunneling case. A resonance in the carrier injection energy shows that allowed states in the protein align with the Fermi energy of the electrodes. Both the energy of these states and the long-range of hopping suggest that the reorganization induced by hole formation is greatly reduced inside the protein. We outline a model for calculating the molecular-electronic properties of proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bintian Zhang
- Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281
| | - Eathen Ryan
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281
| | - Xu Wang
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281
| | - Weisi Song
- Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281
| | - Stuart Lindsay
- Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281
- Department of Physics, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281
- Corresponding Author: Stuart Lindsay: Phone 480 205 6432
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20
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Ashkarran AA, Hosseini A, Loloee R, Perry G, Lee KB, Lund M, Ejtehadi MR, Mahmoudi M. Conformation- and phosphorylation-dependent electron tunnelling across self-assembled monolayers of tau peptides. J Colloid Interface Sci 2022; 606:2038-2050. [PMID: 34749450 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2021.09.185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
We report on charge transport across self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of short tau peptides by probing the electron tunneling rates and quantum mechanical simulation. We measured the electron tunneling rates across SAMs of carboxyl-terminated linker molecules (C6H12O2S) and short cis-tau (CT) and trans-tau (TT) peptides, supported on template-stripped gold (AuTS) bottom electrode, with Eutectic Gallium-Indium (EGaIn)(EGaIn) top electrode. Measurements of the current density across thousands of AuTS/linker/tau//Ga2O3/EGaIn single-molecule junctions show that the tunneling current across CT peptide is one order of magnitude lower than that of TT peptide. Quantum mechanical simulation demonstrated a wider energy bandgap of the CT peptide, as compared to the TT peptide, which causes a reduction in its electron tunneling current. Our findings also revealed the critical role of phosphorylation in altering the charge transport characteristics of short peptides; more specifically, we found that the presence of phosphate groups can reduce the energy band gap in tau peptides and alter their electrical properties. Our results suggest that conformational and phosphorylation of short peptides (e.g., tau) can significantly change their charge transport characteristics and energy levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Akbar Ashkarran
- Precision Health Program and Department of Radiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
| | - Atiyeh Hosseini
- Division of Theoretical Chemistry, Lund University, Lund, Sweden; Institute for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Loloee
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - George Perry
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Ki-Bum Lee
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Mikael Lund
- Division of Theoretical Chemistry, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
| | | | - Morteza Mahmoudi
- Precision Health Program and Department of Radiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
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21
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Gupta R, Jash P, Sachan P, Bayat A, Singh V, Mondal PC. Electrochemical Potential‐Driven High‐Throughput Molecular Electronic and Spintronic Devices: From Molecules to Applications. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202104724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ritu Gupta
- Department of Chemistry Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur Uttar Pradesh 208016 India
| | - Priyajit Jash
- Department of Chemistry Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur Uttar Pradesh 208016 India
| | - Pradeep Sachan
- Department of Chemistry Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur Uttar Pradesh 208016 India
| | - Akhtar Bayat
- Laboratoire Photonique Numérique et Nanosciences, UMR 5298 Université de Bordeaux 33400 Talence France
| | - Vikram Singh
- Department of Chemistry and National Science Research Institute Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu Daejeon 34141 Republic of Korea
| | - Prakash Chandra Mondal
- Department of Chemistry Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur Uttar Pradesh 208016 India
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22
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Shi J, Jiang F, Long S, Lu Z, Liu T, Zheng H, Shi J, Yang Y, Hong W, Tian ZQ. The influence of water on the charge transport through self-assembled monolayers junctions fabricated by EGaIn technique. Electrochim Acta 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2021.139304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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23
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Merces L, Candiotto G, Ferro LMM, de Barros A, Batista CVS, Nawaz A, Riul A, Capaz RB, Bufon CCB. Reorganization Energy upon Controlled Intermolecular Charge-Transfer Reactions in Monolithically Integrated Nanodevices. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2021; 17:e2103897. [PMID: 34596956 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202103897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2021] [Revised: 08/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Intermolecular electron-transfer reactions are key processes in physics, chemistry, and biology. The electron-transfer rates depend primarily on the system reorganization energy, that is, the energetic cost to rearrange each reactant and its surrounding environment when a charge is transferred. Despite the evident impact of electron-transfer reactions on charge-carrier hopping, well-controlled electronic transport measurements using monolithically integrated electrochemical devices have not successfully measured the reorganization energies to this date. Here, it is shown that self-rolling nanomembrane devices with strain-engineered mechanical properties, on-a-chip monolithic integration, and multi-environment operation features can overcome this challenge. The ongoing advances in nanomembrane-origami technology allow to manufacture the nCap, a nanocapacitor platform, to perform molecular-level charge transport characterization. Thereby, employing nCap, the copper-phthalocyanine (CuPc) reorganization energy is probed, ≈0.93 eV, from temperature-dependent measurements of CuPc nanometer-thick films. Supporting the experimental findings, density functional theory calculations provide the atomistic picture of the measured CuPc charge-transfer reaction. The experimental strategy demonstrated here is a consistent route towards determining the reorganization energy of a system formed by molecules monolithically integrated into electrochemical nanodevices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leandro Merces
- Brazilian Nanotechnology National Laboratory (LNNano), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, SP, 13083-100, Brazil
| | - Graziâni Candiotto
- Instituto de Física, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-972, Brazil
- Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-909, Brazil
| | - Letícia Mariê Minatogau Ferro
- Brazilian Nanotechnology National Laboratory (LNNano), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, SP, 13083-100, Brazil
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Anerise de Barros
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Carlos Vinícius Santos Batista
- Brazilian Nanotechnology National Laboratory (LNNano), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, SP, 13083-100, Brazil
- Postgraduate Program in Materials Science and Technology, São Paulo State University, Bauru, SP, 17033-360, Brazil
| | - Ali Nawaz
- Center for Sensors and Devices, Bruno Kessler Foundation (FBK), Trento, 38123, Italy
| | - Antonio Riul
- Department of Applied Physics, "Gleb Wataghin" Institute of Physics, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, 13083-859, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo B Capaz
- Brazilian Nanotechnology National Laboratory (LNNano), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, SP, 13083-100, Brazil
- Instituto de Física, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-972, Brazil
| | - Carlos César Bof Bufon
- Brazilian Nanotechnology National Laboratory (LNNano), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, SP, 13083-100, Brazil
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, 13083-970, Brazil
- Postgraduate Program in Materials Science and Technology, São Paulo State University, Bauru, SP, 17033-360, Brazil
- Mackenzie Presbyterian University, São Paulo, 01302-907, Brazil
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24
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Gupta R, Jash P, Sachan P, Bayat A, Singh V, Mondal PC. Electrochemical Potential-Driven High-Throughput Molecular Electronic and Spintronic Devices: From Molecules to Applications. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 60:26904-26921. [PMID: 34313372 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202104724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Molecules are fascinating candidates for constructing tunable and electrically conducting devices by the assembly of either a single molecule or an ensemble of molecules between two electrical contacts followed by current-voltage (I-V) analysis, which is often termed "molecular electronics". Recently, there has been also an upsurge of interest in spin-based electronics or spintronics across the molecules, which offer additional scope to create ultrafast responsive devices with less power consumption and lower heat generation using the intrinsic spin property rather than electronic charge. Researchers have been exploring this idea of utilizing organic molecules, organometallics, coordination complexes, polymers, and biomolecules (proteins, enzymes, oligopeptides, DNA) in integrating molecular electronics and spintronics devices. Although several methods exist to prepare molecular thin-films on suitable electrodes, the electrochemical potential-driven technique has emerged as highly efficient. In this Review we describe recent advances in the electrochemical potential driven growth of nanometric various molecular films on technologically relevant substrates, including non-magnetic and magnetic electrodes to investigate the stimuli-responsive charge and spin transport phenomena.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ritu Gupta
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, 208016, India
| | - Priyajit Jash
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, 208016, India
| | - Pradeep Sachan
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, 208016, India
| | - Akhtar Bayat
- Laboratoire Photonique Numérique et Nanosciences, UMR 5298, Université de Bordeaux, 33400, Talence, France
| | - Vikram Singh
- Department of Chemistry and National Science Research Institute, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Prakash Chandra Mondal
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, 208016, India
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25
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Chen X, Kretz B, Adoah F, Nickle C, Chi X, Yu X, Del Barco E, Thompson D, Egger DA, Nijhuis CA. A single atom change turns insulating saturated wires into molecular conductors. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3432. [PMID: 34103489 PMCID: PMC8187423 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23528-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
We present an efficient strategy to modulate tunnelling in molecular junctions by changing the tunnelling decay coefficient, β, by terminal-atom substitution which avoids altering the molecular backbone. By varying X = H, F, Cl, Br, I in junctions with S(CH2)(10-18)X, current densities (J) increase >4 orders of magnitude, creating molecular conductors via reduction of β from 0.75 to 0.25 Å−1. Impedance measurements show tripled dielectric constants (εr) with X = I, reduced HOMO-LUMO gaps and tunnelling-barrier heights, and 5-times reduced contact resistance. These effects alone cannot explain the large change in β. Density-functional theory shows highly localized, X-dependent potential drops at the S(CH2)nX//electrode interface that modifies the tunnelling barrier shape. Commonly-used tunnelling models neglect localized potential drops and changes in εr. Here, we demonstrate experimentally that \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}
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\begin{document}$$\beta \propto 1/\sqrt{{\varepsilon }_{r}}$$\end{document}β∝1/εr, suggesting highly-polarizable terminal-atoms act as charge traps and highlighting the need for new charge transport models that account for dielectric effects in molecular tunnelling junctions. In molecular junctions, where a molecule is placed between two electrodes, the current passed decays exponentially as a function of length. Here, Chen et al. show that this exponentially attenuation can be controlled by changing a single atom at the end of the molecular wire.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoping Chen
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Centre for Advanced 2D Materials and Graphene Research Centre, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Bernhard Kretz
- Department of Physics, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany
| | - Francis Adoah
- Department of Physics, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - Cameron Nickle
- Department of Physics, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - Xiao Chi
- Singapore Synchrotron Light Source, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Xiaojiang Yu
- Singapore Synchrotron Light Source, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Enrique Del Barco
- Department of Physics, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - Damien Thompson
- Department of Physics, Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - David A Egger
- Department of Physics, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany.
| | - Christian A Nijhuis
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore. .,Centre for Advanced 2D Materials and Graphene Research Centre, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore. .,Hybrid Materials for Opto-Electronics Group, Department of Molecules and Materials, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology and Center for Brain-Inspired Nano Systems, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500, AE Enschede, The Netherlands.
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26
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The Role of Metal Ions in the Electron Transport through Azurin-Based Junctions. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/app11093732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
We studied the coherent electron transport through metal–protein–metal junctions based on a blue copper azurin, in which the copper ion was replaced by three different metal ions (Co, Ni and Zn). Our results show that neither the protein structure nor the transmission at the Fermi level change significantly upon metal replacement. The discrepancy with previous experimental observations suggests that the transport mechanism taking place in these types of junctions is probably not fully coherent.
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27
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Han Y, Maglione MS, Diez Cabanes V, Casado-Montenegro J, Yu X, Karuppannan SK, Zhang Z, Crivillers N, Mas-Torrent M, Rovira C, Cornil J, Veciana J, Nijhuis CA. Reversal of the Direction of Rectification Induced by Fermi Level Pinning at Molecule-Electrode Interfaces in Redox-Active Tunneling Junctions. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:55044-55055. [PMID: 33237732 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c15435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Control over the energy level alignment in molecular junctions is notoriously difficult, making it challenging to control basic electronic functions such as the direction of rectification. Therefore, alternative approaches to control electronic functions in molecular junctions are needed. This paper describes switching of the direction of rectification by changing the bottom electrode material M = Ag, Au, or Pt in M-S(CH2)11S-BTTF//EGaIn junctions based on self-assembled monolayers incorporating benzotetrathiafulvalene (BTTF) with EGaIn (eutectic alloy of Ga and In) as the top electrode. The stability of the junctions is determined by the choice of the bottom electrode, which, in turn, determines the maximum applied bias window, and the mechanism of rectification is dominated by the energy levels centered on the BTTF units. The energy level alignments of the three junctions are similar because of Fermi level pinning induced by charge transfer at the metal-thiolate interface and by a varying degree of additional charge transfer between BTTF and the metal. Density functional theory calculations show that the amount of electron transfer from M to the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) of BTTF follows the order Ag > Au > Pt. Junctions with Ag electrodes are the least stable and can only withstand an applied bias of ±1.0 V. As a result, no molecular orbitals can fall in the applied bias window, and the junctions do not rectify. The junction stability increases for M = Au, and the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) dominates charge transport at a positive bias resulting in a positive rectification ratio of 83 at ±1.5 V. The junctions are very stable for M = Pt, but now the LUMO dominates charge transport at a negative bias resulting in a negative rectification ratio of 912 at ±2.5 V. Thus, the limitations of Fermi level pinning can be bypassed by a judicious choice of the bottom electrode material, making it possible to access selectively HOMO- or LUMO-based charge transport and, as shown here, associated reversal of rectification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingmei Han
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore 117543, Singapore
| | - Maria Serena Maglione
- Institut de Ciéncia de Materials de Barcelona (ICMAB-CSIC)/CIBER-BBN, Campus de la UAB, Bellaterra 08193, Spain
| | - Valentin Diez Cabanes
- Laboratory for Chemistry of Novel Materials, University of Mons, Place du Parc 20, Mons 7000, Belgium
| | - Javier Casado-Montenegro
- Institut de Ciéncia de Materials de Barcelona (ICMAB-CSIC)/CIBER-BBN, Campus de la UAB, Bellaterra 08193, Spain
| | - Xiaojiang Yu
- Singapore Synchrotron Light Source, National University of Singapore, 5 Research Link, Singapore 117603, Singapore
| | - Senthil Kumar Karuppannan
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore 117543, Singapore
| | - Ziyu Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore 117543, Singapore
| | - Núria Crivillers
- Institut de Ciéncia de Materials de Barcelona (ICMAB-CSIC)/CIBER-BBN, Campus de la UAB, Bellaterra 08193, Spain
| | - Marta Mas-Torrent
- Institut de Ciéncia de Materials de Barcelona (ICMAB-CSIC)/CIBER-BBN, Campus de la UAB, Bellaterra 08193, Spain
| | - Concepció Rovira
- Institut de Ciéncia de Materials de Barcelona (ICMAB-CSIC)/CIBER-BBN, Campus de la UAB, Bellaterra 08193, Spain
| | - Jérôme Cornil
- Laboratory for Chemistry of Novel Materials, University of Mons, Place du Parc 20, Mons 7000, Belgium
| | - Jaume Veciana
- Institut de Ciéncia de Materials de Barcelona (ICMAB-CSIC)/CIBER-BBN, Campus de la UAB, Bellaterra 08193, Spain
| | - Christian A Nijhuis
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore 117543, Singapore
- Centre for Advanced 2D Materials and Graphene Research Center, National University of Singapore, 6 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117546, Singapore
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28
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Fereiro JA, Bendikov T, Pecht I, Sheves M, Cahen D. Protein Binding and Orientation Matter: Bias-Induced Conductance Switching in a Mutated Azurin Junction. J Am Chem Soc 2020; 142:19217-19225. [PMID: 33141577 PMCID: PMC7662909 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.0c08836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
We observe reversible, bias-induced switching of conductance via a blue copper protein azurin mutant, N42C Az, with a nearly 10-fold increase at |V| > 0.8 V than at lower bias. No such switching is found for wild-type azurin, WT Az, up to |1.2 V|, beyond which irreversible changes occur. The N42C Az mutant will, when positioned between electrodes in a solid-state Au-protein-Au junction, have an orientation opposite that of WT Az with respect to the electrodes. Current(s) via both proteins are temperature-independent, consistent with quantum mechanical tunneling as dominant transport mechanism. No noticeable difference is resolved between the two proteins in conductance and inelastic electron tunneling spectra at <|0.5 V| bias voltages. Switching behavior persists from 15 K up to room temperature. The conductance peak is consistent with the system switching in and out of resonance with the changing bias. With further input from UV photoemission measurements on Au-protein systems, these striking differences in conductance are rationalized by having the location of the Cu(II) coordination sphere in the N42C Az mutant, proximal to the (larger) substrate-electrode, to which the protein is chemically bound, while for the WT Az that coordination sphere is closest to the other Au electrode, with which only physical contact is made. Our results establish the key roles that a protein's orientation and binding nature to the electrodes play in determining the electron transport tunnel barrier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerry A. Fereiro
- Department
of Materials and Interfaces, Weizmann Institute
of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Tatyana Bendikov
- Department
of Chemical Research Support, Weizmann Institute
of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Israel Pecht
- Department
of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Mordechai Sheves
- Department
of Organic Chemistry, Weizmann Institute
of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - David Cahen
- Department
of Materials and Interfaces, Weizmann Institute
of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
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29
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Karuppannan SK, Martín-Rodríguez A, Ruiz E, Harding P, Harding DJ, Yu X, Tadich A, Cowie B, Qi D, Nijhuis CA. Room temperature conductance switching in a molecular iron(iii) spin crossover junction. Chem Sci 2020; 12:2381-2388. [PMID: 34164002 PMCID: PMC8179334 DOI: 10.1039/d0sc04555a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Herein, we report the first room temperature switchable Fe(iii) molecular spin crossover (SCO) tunnel junction. The junction is constructed from [FeIII(qsal-I)2]NTf2 (qsal-I = 4-iodo-2-[(8-quinolylimino)methyl]phenolate) molecules self-assembled on graphene surfaces with conductance switching of one order of magnitude associated with the high and low spin states of the SCO complex. Normalized conductance analysis of the current–voltage characteristics as a function of temperature reveals that charge transport across the SCO molecule is dominated by coherent tunnelling. Temperature-dependent X-ray absorption spectroscopy and density functional theory confirm the SCO complex retains its SCO functionality on the surface implying that van der Waals molecule—electrode interfaces provide a good trade-off between junction stability while retaining SCO switching capability. These results provide new insights and may aid in the design of other types of molecular devices based on SCO compounds. Herein, we report the first room temperature switchable Fe(iii) molecular spin crossover (SCO) tunnel junction.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Senthil Kumar Karuppannan
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore 3 Science Drive Singapore 117543 Singapore
| | - Alejandro Martín-Rodríguez
- Departament de Química Inorgànica, Institut de Recerca de Química Teòrica i Computacional, Universitat de Barcelona Diagonal 645 08028 Barcelona Spain
| | - Eliseo Ruiz
- Departament de Química Inorgànica, Institut de Recerca de Química Teòrica i Computacional, Universitat de Barcelona Diagonal 645 08028 Barcelona Spain
| | - Phimphaka Harding
- Functional Materials and Nanotechnology Center of Excellence, Walailak University Thasala Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160 Thailand
| | - David J Harding
- Functional Materials and Nanotechnology Center of Excellence, Walailak University Thasala Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160 Thailand
| | - Xiaojiang Yu
- Singapore Synchrotron Light Source, National University of Singapore 5 Research Link Singapore 117603 Singapore
| | - Anton Tadich
- Australian Synchrotron Clayton Victoria 3168 Australia
| | - Bruce Cowie
- School of Chemistry and Physics, Queensland University of Technology Brisbane Queensland 4001 Australia
| | - Dongchen Qi
- School of Chemistry and Physics, Queensland University of Technology Brisbane Queensland 4001 Australia
| | - Christian A Nijhuis
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore 3 Science Drive Singapore 117543 Singapore .,Centre for Advanced 2D Materials & Graphene Research, National University of Singapore 6 Science Drive 2 Singapore 117546 Singapore
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30
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Chen X, Salim T, Zhang Z, Yu X, Volkova I, Nijhuis CA. Large Increase in the Dielectric Constant and Partial Loss of Coherence Increases Tunneling Rates across Molecular Wires. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:45111-45121. [PMID: 32897683 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c11106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Although the dielectric behavior of monolayers is important in a large range of applications, its role in charge transport studies involving molecular junctions is largely ignored. This paper describes a large increase in the relative static dielectric constant (εr) by simply increasing the thickness of well-organized monolayers of oligoglycine and oligo(ethylene glycol) from 7 up to 14. The resulting large capacitance of 3.5-5.1 μF/cm2 is thickness-independent, which is highly attractive for field-effect transistor applications. This increase of εr results in a linear increase of the thermal activation energy by a factor of 6, which suggests that the mechanism of charge transport gradually changes from coherent to (partially) incoherent tunneling. The comparisons of oligoglycine (which readily forms hydrogen bonds with neighboring molecules) and methyl terminated oligo(ethylene glycol) (which lacks hydrogen bond donors) monolayers, kinetic isotope effects, and relative humidity-dependent measurements all indicate the importance of strong hydrogen bonds involving ionic species and strongly bonded water in the unusual dielectric behavior and the incoherent tunneling mechanism. This partial loss of coherence of the charge carriers can explain the unusually small tunneling decay coefficients across long molecular wires, and the length-dependent increase of εr of monolayers opens up interesting new applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoping Chen
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore 117543, Singapore
| | - Teddy Salim
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Ziyu Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore 117543, Singapore
| | - Xiaojiang Yu
- Singapore Synchrotron Light Source, National University of Singapore, 5 Research Link, Singapore 117603, Singapore
| | - Ira Volkova
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore 117543, Singapore
| | - Christian A Nijhuis
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore 117543, Singapore
- Centre for Advanced 2D Materials and Graphene Research Centre, National University of Singapore, 6 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117546, Singapore
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31
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Mukhopadhyay S, Karuppannan SK, Guo C, Fereiro JA, Bergren A, Mukundan V, Qiu X, Castañeda Ocampo OE, Chen X, Chiechi RC, McCreery R, Pecht I, Sheves M, Pasula RR, Lim S, Nijhuis CA, Vilan A, Cahen D. Solid-State Protein Junctions: Cross- Laboratory Study Shows Preservation of Mechanism at Varying Electronic Coupling. iScience 2020; 23:101099. [PMID: 32438319 PMCID: PMC7235645 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 03/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Successful integration of proteins in solid-state electronics requires contacting them in a non-invasive fashion, with a solid conducting surface for immobilization as one such contact. The contacts can affect and even dominate the measured electronic transport. Often substrates, substrate treatments, protein immobilization, and device geometries differ between laboratories. Thus the question arises how far results from different laboratories and platforms are comparable and how to distinguish genuine protein electronic transport properties from platform-induced ones. We report a systematic comparison of electronic transport measurements between different laboratories, using all commonly used large-area schemes to contact a set of three proteins of largely different types. Altogether we study eight different combinations of molecular junction configurations, designed so that Ageoof junctions varies from 105 to 10-3 μm2. Although for the same protein, measured with similar device geometry, results compare reasonably well, there are significant differences in current densities (an intensive variable) between different device geometries. Likely, these originate in the critical contact-protein coupling (∼contact resistance), in addition to the actual number of proteins involved, because the effective junction contact area depends on the nanometric roughness of the electrodes and at times, even the proteins may increase this roughness. On the positive side, our results show that understanding what controls the coupling can make the coupling a design knob. In terms of extensive variables, such as temperature, our comparison unanimously shows the transport to be independent of temperature for all studied configurations and proteins. Our study places coupling and lack of temperature activation as key aspects to be considered in both modeling and practice of protein electronic transport experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabyasachi Mukhopadhyay
- Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
- Department of Physics, SRM University – AP, Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh 522502, India
| | - Senthil Kumar Karuppannan
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore 117543, Singapore
| | - Cunlan Guo
- Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
- Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Biology and Medicine (Ministry of Education), College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, P. R. China
| | | | - Adam Bergren
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, 11227 Saskatchewan Dr., Edmonton AB T6G 2G2, Canada
| | - Vineetha Mukundan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, 11227 Saskatchewan Dr., Edmonton AB T6G 2G2, Canada
| | - Xinkai Qiu
- Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Olga E. Castañeda Ocampo
- Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Xiaoping Chen
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore 117543, Singapore
| | - Ryan C. Chiechi
- Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Richard McCreery
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, 11227 Saskatchewan Dr., Edmonton AB T6G 2G2, Canada
| | - Israel Pecht
- Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | | | - Rupali Reddy Pasula
- School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 70 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637457, Singapore
| | - Sierin Lim
- School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 70 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637457, Singapore
| | - Christian A. Nijhuis
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore 117543, Singapore
- Centre for Advanced 2D Materials, National University of Singapore, 6 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117546, Singapore
| | - Ayelet Vilan
- Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - David Cahen
- Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
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32
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Sergi Lopes C, Merces L, de Oliveira RF, de Camargo DHS, Bof Bufon CC. Rectification ratio and direction controlled by temperature in copper phthalocyanine ensemble molecular diodes. NANOSCALE 2020; 12:10001-10009. [PMID: 32196026 DOI: 10.1039/c9nr10601d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Organic diodes and molecular rectifiers are fundamental electronic devices that share one common feature: current rectification ability. Since both present distinct spatial dimensions and working principles, the rectification of organic diodes is usually achieved by interface engineering, while changes in molecular structures commonly control the molecular rectifiers' features. Here, we report on the first observation of temperature-driven inversion of the rectification direction (IRD) in ensemble molecular diodes (EMDs) prepared in a vertical stack configuration. The EMDs are composed of 20 nm thick molecular ensembles of copper phthalocyanine in close contact with one of its fluorinated derivatives. The material interface was found to be responsible for modifying the junction's conduction mechanisms from nearly activationless transport to Poole-Frenkel emission and phonon-assisted tunneling. In this context, the current rectification was found to be dependent on the interplay of such distinct charge transport mechanisms. The temperature has played a crucial role in each charge transport transition, which we have investigated via electrical measurements and band diagram analysis, thus providing the fundamentals on the IRD occurrence. Our findings represent an important step towards simple and rational control of rectification in carbon-based electronic nanodevices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Sergi Lopes
- Brazilian Nanotechnology National Laboratory (LNNano), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), 13083-970, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
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33
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Talebi S, Daraghma SMA, Subramaniam RT, Bhassu S, Gnana Kumar G, Periasamy V. Printed-Circuit-Board-Based Two-Electrode System for Electronic Characterization of Proteins. ACS OMEGA 2020; 5:7802-7808. [PMID: 32309689 PMCID: PMC7160841 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.9b03831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Proteins have been increasingly suggested as suitable candidates for the fabrication of biological computers and other biomolecular-based electronic devices mainly due to their interesting structure-related intrinsic electrical properties. These natural biopolymers are environmentally friendly substitutes for conventional inorganic materials and find numerous applications in bioelectronics. Effective manipulation of protein biomolecules allows for accurate fabrication of nanoscaled device dimensions for miniaturized electronics. The prerequisite, however, demands an interrogation of its various electronic properties prior to understanding the complex charge transfer mechanisms in protein molecules, the knowledge of which will be crucial toward development of such nanodevices. One significantly preferred method in recent times involves the utilization of solid-state sensors where interactions of proteins could be investigated upon contact with metals such as gold. Therefore, in this work, proteins (hemoglobin and collagen) were integrated within a two-electrode system, and the resulting electronic profiles were investigated. Interestingly, structure-related electronic profiles representing semiconductive-like behaviors were observed. These characteristic electronic profiles arise from the metal (Au)-semiconductor (protein) junction, clearly demonstrating the formation of a Schottky junction. Further interpretation of the electronic behavior of proteins was done by the calculation of selected solid-state parameters. For example, the turn-on voltage of hemoglobin was measured to occur at a lower turn-on voltage, indicating the possible influence of the hem group present as a cofactor in each subunit of this tetrameric protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Talebi
- Low
Dimensional Materials Research Centre (LDMRC), Department of Physics,
Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Centre
for Ionics University of Malaya, Department of Physics, Faculty of
Science, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Institute
of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Souhad M. A. Daraghma
- Low
Dimensional Materials Research Centre (LDMRC), Department of Physics,
Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Ramesh T. Subramaniam
- Centre
for Ionics University of Malaya, Department of Physics, Faculty of
Science, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Subha Bhassu
- Institute
of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Georgepeter Gnana Kumar
- Department
of Physical Chemistry, School of Chemistry, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai 625021, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Vengadesh Periasamy
- Low
Dimensional Materials Research Centre (LDMRC), Department of Physics,
Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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34
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Song H, Kim T, Kang S, Jin H, Lee K, Yoon HJ. Ga-Based Liquid Metal Micro/Nanoparticles: Recent Advances and Applications. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2020; 16:e1903391. [PMID: 31583849 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201903391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2019] [Revised: 08/21/2019] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Liquid metals are emerging as fluidic inorganic materials in various research fields. Micro- and nanoparticles of Ga and its alloys have received particular attention in the last decade due to their non toxicity and accessibility in ambient conditions as well as their interesting chemical, physical, mechanical, and electrical properties. Unique features such as a fluidic nature and self-passivating oxide skin make Ga-based liquid metal particles (LMPs) distinguishable from conventional inorganic particles in the context of synthesis and applications. Here, recent advances in the bottom-up and top-down synthetic methods of Ga-based LMPs, their physicochemical properties, and their applications are summarized. Finally, the current status of the LMPs is highlighted and perspectives on future directions are also provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyunsun Song
- Department of Chemistry and Research Institute for Natural Sciences, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Taekyung Kim
- Department of Chemistry and Research Institute for Natural Sciences, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Seohyun Kang
- Department of Chemistry and Research Institute for Natural Sciences, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Haneul Jin
- Department of Chemistry and Research Institute for Natural Sciences, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwangyeol Lee
- Department of Chemistry and Research Institute for Natural Sciences, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyo Jae Yoon
- Department of Chemistry and Research Institute for Natural Sciences, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
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35
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Pasula RR, Kuniyil A, Lim S. Molecular Entrapment in Thermophilic Ferritin for Nanoformulation in Photodynamic Therapy. ADVANCED THERAPEUTICS 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/adtp.201900172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rupali Reddy Pasula
- School of Chemical and Biomedical EngineeringNanyang Technological University 70 Nanyang Drive 637457 Singapore
| | - Ambili Kuniyil
- School of Chemical and Biomedical EngineeringNanyang Technological University 70 Nanyang Drive 637457 Singapore
| | - Sierin Lim
- School of Chemical and Biomedical EngineeringNanyang Technological University 70 Nanyang Drive 637457 Singapore
- NTU‐Northwestern Institute for NanomedicineNanyang Technological University 50 Nanyang Drive 637553 Singapore
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Kayser B, Fereiro JA, Bhattacharyya R, Cohen SR, Vilan A, Pecht I, Sheves M, Cahen D. Solid-State Electron Transport via the Protein Azurin is Temperature-Independent Down to 4 K. J Phys Chem Lett 2020; 11:144-151. [PMID: 31821001 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.9b03120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Solid-state electronic transport (ETp) via the electron-transfer copper protein azurin (Az) was measured in Au/Az/Au junction configurations down to 4 K, the lowest temperature for solid-state protein-based junctions. Not only does lowering the temperature help when observing fine features of electronic transport, but it also limits possible electron transport mechanisms. Practically, wire-bonded devices-on-chip, carrying Az-based microscopic junctions, were measured in liquid He, minimizing temperature gradients across the samples. Much smaller junctions, in conducting-probe atomic force microscopy measurements, served, between room temperature and the protein's denaturation temperature (∼323 K), to check that conductance behavior is independent of device configuration or contact nature and thus is a property of the protein itself. Temperature-independent currents were observed from ∼320 to 4 K. The experimental results were fitted to a single-level Landauer model to extract effective energy barrier and electrode-molecule coupling strength values and to compare data sets. Our results strongly support that quantum tunneling, rather than hopping, dominates ETp via Az.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben Kayser
- Department of Materials and Interfaces , Weizmann Institute of Science , Rehovot 76100 , Israel
| | - Jerry A Fereiro
- Department of Materials and Interfaces , Weizmann Institute of Science , Rehovot 76100 , Israel
| | - Rajarshi Bhattacharyya
- Braun Center for Submicron Research, Department of Condensed Matter Physics , Weizmann Institute of Science , Rehovot 76100 , Israel
| | - Sidney R Cohen
- Department of Chemical Research Support , Weizmann Institute of Science , Rehovot 76100 , Israel
| | - Ayelet Vilan
- Department of Chemical and Biological Physics , Weizmann Institute of Science , Rehovot 76100 , Israel
| | - Israel Pecht
- Department of Immunology , Weizmann Institute of Science , Rehovot 76100 , Israel
| | - Mordechai Sheves
- Department of Organic Chemistry , Weizmann Institute of Science , Rehovot 76100 , Israel
| | - David Cahen
- Department of Materials and Interfaces , Weizmann Institute of Science , Rehovot 76100 , Israel
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Kolay J, Bera S, Mukhopadhyay R. Electron Transport in Muscle Protein Collagen. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2019; 35:11950-11957. [PMID: 31404493 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.9b01685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
In recent times, collagen, which is one of the most abundant proteins in animals, has appeared to be an attractive candidate for biomaterial applications, for example, in medical implants and wearable electronics. This is because collagen is water-insoluble, biocompatible, and nontoxic. In addition, films of different sizes and shapes can be made using this protein as it is malleable and elastic in nature. However, its electron transport capacity or its absence has remained largely untested so far. Therefore, in this work, the electron transport behavior of collagen has been studied in both film and single-fiber states in a local probe configuration using current-sensing atomic force spectroscopy (CSAFS). From the CSAFS analyses, the electronic (transport) band gap of collagen has been estimated. It has been found that collagen behaves as a wide band gap semiconductor (near-insulating) in a variety of experimental conditions. The transition to a semiconducting material with a low electronic band gap and a nearly 1000-fold enhancement of current (picoampere to nanoampere level) occurs by metal ion treatment (here, Fe3+) of the native collagen. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a molecular level study of the electron transport behavior of collagen proteins and estimation of transport band gap values of collagen and metalated collagen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayeeta Kolay
- School of Biological Sciences , Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science , Jadavpur , Kolkata 700 032 , India
| | - Sudipta Bera
- School of Biological Sciences , Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science , Jadavpur , Kolkata 700 032 , India
| | - Rupa Mukhopadhyay
- School of Biological Sciences , Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science , Jadavpur , Kolkata 700 032 , India
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Fereiro JA, Kayser B, Romero‐Muñiz C, Vilan A, Dolgikh DA, Chertkova RV, Cuevas JC, Zotti LA, Pecht I, Sheves M, Cahen D. A Solid‐State Protein Junction Serves as a Bias‐Induced Current Switch. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201906032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jerry A. Fereiro
- Department of Materials and Interfaces Weizmann Institute of Science Rehovot Israel
| | - Ben Kayser
- Department of Materials and Interfaces Weizmann Institute of Science Rehovot Israel
| | - Carlos Romero‐Muñiz
- Departamento de Física Teórica de la Materia Condensada and Condensed Matter Physics Center (IFIMAC) Universidad Autónoma de Madrid 28049 Madrid Spain
| | - Ayelet Vilan
- Department of Materials and Interfaces Weizmann Institute of Science Rehovot Israel
| | - Dmitry A. Dolgikh
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry Russian Academy of Science Moscow Russia
| | - Rita V. Chertkova
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry Russian Academy of Science Moscow Russia
| | - Juan Carlos Cuevas
- Departamento de Física Teórica de la Materia Condensada and Condensed Matter Physics Center (IFIMAC) Universidad Autónoma de Madrid 28049 Madrid Spain
| | - Linda A. Zotti
- Departamento de Física Teórica de la Materia Condensada and Condensed Matter Physics Center (IFIMAC) Universidad Autónoma de Madrid 28049 Madrid Spain
| | - Israel Pecht
- Department of Immunology Weizmann Institute of Science Rehovot Israel
| | - Mordechai Sheves
- Department of Organic Chemistry Weizmann Institute of Science Rehovot Israel
| | - David Cahen
- Department of Materials and Interfaces Weizmann Institute of Science Rehovot Israel
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Fereiro JA, Kayser B, Romero-Muñiz C, Vilan A, Dolgikh DA, Chertkova RV, Cuevas JC, Zotti LA, Pecht I, Sheves M, Cahen D. A Solid-State Protein Junction Serves as a Bias-Induced Current Switch. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2019; 58:11852-11859. [PMID: 31246354 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201906032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
A sample-type protein monolayer, that can be a stepping stone to practical devices, can behave as an electrically driven switch. This feat is achieved using a redox protein, cytochrome C (CytC), with its heme shielded from direct contact with the solid-state electrodes. Ab initio DFT calculations, carried out on the CytC-Au structure, show that the coupling of the heme, the origin of the protein frontier orbitals, to the electrodes is sufficiently weak to prevent Fermi level pinning. Thus, external bias can bring these orbitals in and out of resonance with the electrode. Using a cytochrome C mutant for direct S-Au bonding, approximately 80 % of the Au-CytC-Au junctions show at greater than 0.5 V bias a clear conductance peak, consistent with resonant tunneling. The on-off change persists up to room temperature, demonstrating reversible, bias-controlled switching of a protein ensemble, which, with its built-in redundancy, provides a realistic path to protein-based bioelectronics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerry A Fereiro
- Department of Materials and Interfaces, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Ben Kayser
- Department of Materials and Interfaces, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Carlos Romero-Muñiz
- Departamento de Física Teórica de la Materia Condensada and Condensed Matter Physics Center (IFIMAC), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ayelet Vilan
- Department of Materials and Interfaces, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Dmitry A Dolgikh
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Science, Moscow, Russia
| | - Rita V Chertkova
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Science, Moscow, Russia
| | - Juan Carlos Cuevas
- Departamento de Física Teórica de la Materia Condensada and Condensed Matter Physics Center (IFIMAC), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - Linda A Zotti
- Departamento de Física Teórica de la Materia Condensada and Condensed Matter Physics Center (IFIMAC), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - Israel Pecht
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Mordechai Sheves
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - David Cahen
- Department of Materials and Interfaces, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
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Indication of quantum mechanical electron transport in human substantia nigra tissue from conductive atomic force microscopy analysis. Biosystems 2019; 179:30-38. [PMID: 30826349 DOI: 10.1016/j.biosystems.2019.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Revised: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 02/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Neuromelanin and ferritin in dopamine neurons of the substantia nigra have a distribution and density that is similar to disordered arrays of quantum dots in photovoltaic devices, which have been experimentally shown to conduct electric energy using quantum mechanical electron transport mechanisms. Conductive atomic force microscopy tests were performed on human substantia nigra tissue at room temperature, to determine whether evidence of electron transport is present. The test results presented here provide evidence of quantum mechanical electron transport from ferritin and neuromelanin at levels that may be sufficient to cause or contribute to generation of action potentials.
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Futera Z, Blumberger J. Adsorption of Amino Acids on Gold: Assessing the Accuracy of the GolP-CHARMM Force Field and Parametrization of Au-S Bonds. J Chem Theory Comput 2018; 15:613-624. [PMID: 30540462 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.8b00992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The interaction of amino acids with metal electrodes plays a crucial role in bioelectrochemistry and the emerging field of bionanoelectronics. Here we present benchmark calculations of the adsorption structure and energy of all natural amino acids on Au(111) in vacuum using a van-der-Waals density functional (revPBE-vdW) that showed good performance on the S22 set of weakly bound dimers (mean relative unsigned error (MRUE) wrt CCSD(T)/CBS = 13.3%) and adsorption energies of small organic molecules on Au(111) (MRUE wrt experiment = 11.2%). The vdW-DF results are then used to assess the accuracy of a popular force field for Au-amino acid interactions, GolP-CHARMM, which explicitly describes image charge interactions via rigid-rod dipoles. We find that while the force field underestimates adsorption distances, it does reproduce the binding energy rather well (MRUE wrt revPBE-vdW = 11.3%) with the MRUE decreasing in the order Cys, Met > amines > aliphatic > carboxylic > aromatic. We also present a parametrization of the bonding interaction between sulfur-containing molecules and the Au(111) surface and report force field parameters that are compatible with GolP-CHARMM. We believe the vdW-DF calculations presented herein will provide useful reference data for further force field development, and that the new Au-S bonding parameters will enable improved simulations of proteins immobilized on Au-electrodes via S-linkages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zdenek Futera
- Department of Physics and Astronomy and Thomas-Young-Centre , University College London , Gower Street , London , WC1E 6BT , U.K
| | - Jochen Blumberger
- Department of Physics and Astronomy and Thomas-Young-Centre , University College London , Gower Street , London , WC1E 6BT , U.K.,Institute for Advanced Study , Technische Universität München , Lichtenbergstrasse 2 a , D-85748 Garching , Germany
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Long distance electron transfer through the aqueous solution between redox partner proteins. Nat Commun 2018; 9:5157. [PMID: 30514833 PMCID: PMC6279779 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-07499-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the importance of electron transfer between redox proteins in photosynthesis and respiration, the inter-protein electron transfer rate between redox partner proteins has never been measured as a function of their separation in aqueous solution. Here, we use electrochemical tunneling spectroscopy to show that the current between two protein partners decays along more than 10 nm in the solution. Molecular dynamics simulations reveal a reduced ionic density and extended electric field in the volume confined between the proteins. The distance-decay factor and the calculated local barrier for electron transfer are regulated by the electrochemical potential applied to the proteins. Redox partners could use electrochemically gated, long distance electron transfer through the solution in order to conciliate high specificity with weak binding, thus keeping high turnover rates in the crowded environment of cells. Electron transport chains rely on interactions between redox proteins, but the distance-dependence of the electron transfer rate through the solution is unknown. Here, the authors show that the current between two redox protein partners occurs at long distances and is electrochemically gated.
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Kayser B, Fereiro JA, Guo C, Cohen SR, Sheves M, Pecht I, Cahen D. Transistor configuration yields energy level control in protein-based junctions. NANOSCALE 2018; 10:21712-21720. [PMID: 30431054 DOI: 10.1039/c8nr06627b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The incorporation of proteins as functional components in electronic junctions has received much interest recently due to their diverse bio-chemical and physical properties. However, information regarding the energies of the frontier orbitals involved in their electron transport (ETp) has remained elusive. Here we employ a new method to quantitatively determine the energy position of the molecular orbital, nearest to the Fermi level (EF) of the electrode, in the electron transfer protein Azurin. The importance of the Cu(ii) redox center of Azurin is demonstrated by measuring gate-controlled conductance switching which is absent if Azurin's copper ions are removed. Comparing different electrode materials, a higher conductance and a lower gate-induced current onset is observed for the material with smaller work function, indicating that ETp via Azurin is LUMO-mediated. We use the difference in work function to calibrate the difference in gate-induced current onset for the two electrode materials, to a specific energy level shift and find that ETp via Azurin is near resonance. Our results provide a basis for mapping and studying the role of energy level positions in (bio)molecular junctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben Kayser
- Department of Materials and Interfaces, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 76100, Israel.
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45
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Qiu X, Castañeda Ocampo O, de Vries HW, van Putten M, Loznik M, Herrmann A, Chiechi RC. Self-Regenerating Soft Biophotovoltaic Devices. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2018; 10:37625-37633. [PMID: 30295451 PMCID: PMC6328238 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.8b11115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
This paper describes the fabrication of soft, stretchable biophotovoltaic devices that generate photocurrent from photosystem I (PSI) complexes that are self-assembled onto Au electrodes with a preferred orientation. Charge is collected by the direct injection of electrons into the Au electrode and the transport of holes through a redox couple to liquid eutectic gallium-indium (EGaIn) electrodes that are confined to microfluidic pseudochannels by arrays of posts. The pseudochannels are defined in a single fabrication step that leverages the non-Newtonian rheology of EGaIn. This strategy is extended to the fabrication of reticulated electrodes that are inherently stretchable. A simple shadow evaporation technique is used to increase the surface area of the Au electrodes by a factor of approximately 106 compared to planar electrodes. The power conversion efficiency of the biophotovoltaic devices decreases over time, presumably as the PSI complexes denature and/or detach from the Au electrodes. However, by circulating a solution of active PSI complexes the devices self-regenerate by mass action/self-assembly. These devices leverage simple fabrication techniques to produce complex function and prove that photovoltaic devices comprising PSI can retain the ability to regenerate, one of the most important functions of photosynthetic organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinkai Qiu
- Zernike
Institute for Advanced Materials, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
- Stratingh
Institute for Chemistry, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Olga Castañeda Ocampo
- Zernike
Institute for Advanced Materials, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
- Stratingh
Institute for Chemistry, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Hendrik W. de Vries
- Zernike
Institute for Advanced Materials, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Maikel van Putten
- Zernike
Institute for Advanced Materials, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Mark Loznik
- Zernike
Institute for Advanced Materials, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Andreas Herrmann
- Zernike
Institute for Advanced Materials, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ryan C. Chiechi
- Zernike
Institute for Advanced Materials, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
- Stratingh
Institute for Chemistry, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
- E-mail:
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Nguyen QV, Martin P, Frath D, Della Rocca ML, Lafolet F, Bellinck S, Lafarge P, Lacroix JC. Highly Efficient Long-Range Electron Transport in a Viologen-Based Molecular Junction. J Am Chem Soc 2018; 140:10131-10134. [DOI: 10.1021/jacs.8b05589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Quyen Van Nguyen
- Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité,
ITODYS, UMR 7086 CNRS, 15 rue Jean-Antoine de Baïf, 75205 Paris Cedex 13, France
- Department of Advanced Materials Science and Nanotechnology, University of Science and Technology of Hanoi, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam
| | - Pascal Martin
- Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité,
ITODYS, UMR 7086 CNRS, 15 rue Jean-Antoine de Baïf, 75205 Paris Cedex 13, France
| | - Denis Frath
- Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité,
ITODYS, UMR 7086 CNRS, 15 rue Jean-Antoine de Baïf, 75205 Paris Cedex 13, France
| | - Maria Luisa Della Rocca
- Laboratoire Matériaux et Phénomènes Quantiques, Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 75205 Paris Cedex 13, France
| | - Frederic Lafolet
- Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité,
ITODYS, UMR 7086 CNRS, 15 rue Jean-Antoine de Baïf, 75205 Paris Cedex 13, France
| | - Sebastien Bellinck
- Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité,
ITODYS, UMR 7086 CNRS, 15 rue Jean-Antoine de Baïf, 75205 Paris Cedex 13, France
| | - Philippe Lafarge
- Laboratoire Matériaux et Phénomènes Quantiques, Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 75205 Paris Cedex 13, France
| | - Jean-Christophe Lacroix
- Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité,
ITODYS, UMR 7086 CNRS, 15 rue Jean-Antoine de Baïf, 75205 Paris Cedex 13, France
- Department of Advanced Materials Science and Nanotechnology, University of Science and Technology of Hanoi, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam
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Rourk CJ. Ferritin and neuromelanin "quantum dot" array structures in dopamine neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta and norepinephrine neurons of the locus coeruleus. Biosystems 2018; 171:48-58. [PMID: 30048795 DOI: 10.1016/j.biosystems.2018.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2018] [Revised: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 07/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
In this review, the author shows that ferritin has documented quantum dot material properties that have been reported in numerous independent studies, and can enable quantum mechanical electron transport over substantial distances. In addition, neuromelanin is a pi-conjugated polymer, and quantum dot/pi-conjugated polymer combinations have been reported in numerous independent studies to facilitate electron transport for solar photovoltaic and other applications. Both ferritin and neuromelanin are present in large quantities in the dopamine neurons of the substantia nigra pars compactaand the norepinephrine neurons of the locus coeruleus. The unique structure of subgroups of these neurons that have a large number of axon branches and synapses may have evolved to take advantage of this electron transport mechanism, if it is present, such as to coordinate conscious action, or for other purposes. Independent clinical and laboratory studies are also reviewed that corroborate this theory of coordinated action in these neuron groups. Research to validate the theory using charge transport measurements, materials characterization, existing fluorescent probe material and reaction time testing is proposed.
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48
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Tunneling explains efficient electron transport via protein junctions. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:E4577-E4583. [PMID: 29712853 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1719867115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Metalloproteins, proteins containing a transition metal ion cofactor, are electron transfer agents that perform key functions in cells. Inspired by this fact, electron transport across these proteins has been widely studied in solid-state settings, triggering the interest in examining potential use of proteins as building blocks in bioelectronic devices. Here, we report results of low-temperature (10 K) electron transport measurements via monolayer junctions based on the blue copper protein azurin (Az), which strongly suggest quantum tunneling of electrons as the dominant charge transport mechanism. Specifically, we show that, weakening the protein-electrode coupling by introducing a spacer, one can switch the electron transport from off-resonant to resonant tunneling. This is a consequence of reducing the electrode's perturbation of the Cu(II)-localized electronic state, a pattern that has not been observed before in protein-based junctions. Moreover, we identify vibronic features of the Cu(II) coordination sphere in transport characteristics that show directly the active role of the metal ion in resonance tunneling. Our results illustrate how quantum mechanical effects may dominate electron transport via protein-based junctions.
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Yuan L, Wang L, Garrigues AR, Jiang L, Annadata HV, Anguera Antonana M, Barco E, Nijhuis CA. Transition from direct to inverted charge transport Marcus regions in molecular junctions via molecular orbital gating. NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY 2018; 13:322-329. [PMID: 29581549 DOI: 10.1038/s41565-018-0068-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2017] [Accepted: 01/17/2018] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Solid-state molecular tunnel junctions are often assumed to operate in the Landauer regime, which describes essentially activationless coherent tunnelling processes. In solution, on the other hand, charge transfer is described by Marcus theory, which accounts for thermally activated processes. In practice, however, thermally activated transport phenomena are frequently observed also in solid-state molecular junctions but remain poorly understood. Here, we show experimentally the transition from the Marcus to the inverted Marcus region in a solid-state molecular tunnel junction by means of intra-molecular orbital gating that can be tuned via the chemical structure of the molecule and applied bias. In the inverted Marcus region, charge transport is incoherent, yet virtually independent of temperature. Our experimental results fit well to a theoretical model that combines Landauer and Marcus theories and may have implications for the interpretation of temperature-dependent charge transport measurements in molecular junctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Yuan
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Lejia Wang
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- School of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Ningbo University of Technology, Ningbo, China
| | - Alvar R Garrigues
- Department of Physics, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Li Jiang
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | | | - Enrique Barco
- Department of Physics, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA.
| | - Christian A Nijhuis
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
- Centre for Advanced 2D Materials and Graphene Research Centre, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
- NUSNNI-Nanocore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
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50
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Sierra MA, Sánchez D, Garrigues AR, Del Barco E, Wang L, Nijhuis CA. How to distinguish between interacting and noninteracting molecules in tunnel junctions. NANOSCALE 2018; 10:3904-3910. [PMID: 29423488 DOI: 10.1039/c7nr05739c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Recent experiments demonstrate a temperature control of the electric conduction through a ferrocene-based molecular junction. Here we examine the results in view of determining means to distinguish between transport through single-particle molecular levels or via transport channels split by Coulomb repulsion. Both transport mechanisms are similar in molecular junctions given the similarities between molecular intralevel energies and the charging energy. We propose an experimentally testable way to identify the main transport process. By applying a magnetic field to the molecule, we observe that an interacting theory predicts a shift of the conductance resonances of the molecule whereas in the noninteracting case each resonance is split into two peaks. The interaction model works well in explaining our experimental results obtained in a ferrocene-based single-molecule junction, where the charge degeneracy peaks shift (but do not split) under the action of an applied 7-Tesla magnetic field. This method is useful for a proper characterization of the transport properties of molecular tunnel junctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel A Sierra
- Institute for Cross-Disciplinary Physics and Complex Systems IFISC (UIB-CSIC), Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
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