1
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Li T, Bandari VK, Schmidt OG. Molecular Electronics: Creating and Bridging Molecular Junctions and Promoting Its Commercialization. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2209088. [PMID: 36512432 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202209088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Molecular electronics is driven by the dream of expanding Moore's law to the molecular level for next-generation electronics through incorporating individual or ensemble molecules into electronic circuits. For nearly 50 years, numerous efforts have been made to explore the intrinsic properties of molecules and develop diverse fascinating molecular electronic devices with the desired functionalities. The flourishing of molecular electronics is inseparable from the development of various elegant methodologies for creating nanogap electrodes and bridging the nanogap with molecules. This review first focuses on the techniques for making lateral and vertical nanogap electrodes by breaking, narrowing, and fixed modes, and highlights their capabilities, applications, merits, and shortcomings. After summarizing the approaches of growing single molecules or molecular layers on the electrodes, the methods of constructing a complete molecular circuit are comprehensively grouped into three categories: 1) directly bridging one-molecule-electrode component with another electrode, 2) physically bridging two-molecule-electrode components, and 3) chemically bridging two-molecule-electrode components. Finally, the current state of molecular circuit integration and commercialization is discussed and perspectives are provided, hoping to encourage the community to accelerate the realization of fully scalable molecular electronics for a new era of integrated microsystems and applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianming Li
- Research Center for Materials, Architectures and Integration of Nanomembranes (MAIN), Chemnitz University of Technology, 09126, Chemnitz, Germany
- Material Systems for Nanoelectronics, Chemnitz University of Technology, 09111, Chemnitz, Germany
| | - Vineeth Kumar Bandari
- Research Center for Materials, Architectures and Integration of Nanomembranes (MAIN), Chemnitz University of Technology, 09126, Chemnitz, Germany
- Material Systems for Nanoelectronics, Chemnitz University of Technology, 09111, Chemnitz, Germany
| | - Oliver G Schmidt
- Research Center for Materials, Architectures and Integration of Nanomembranes (MAIN), Chemnitz University of Technology, 09126, Chemnitz, Germany
- Material Systems for Nanoelectronics, Chemnitz University of Technology, 09111, Chemnitz, Germany
- Nanophysics, Dresden University of Technology, 01069, Dresden, Germany
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2
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Yuan S, Gao T, Cao W, Pan Z, Liu J, Shi J, Hong W. The Characterization of Electronic Noise in the Charge Transport through Single-Molecule Junctions. SMALL METHODS 2021; 5:e2001064. [PMID: 34927823 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202001064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
With the goal of creating single-molecule devices and integrating them into circuits, the emergence of single-molecule electronics provides various techniques for the fabrication of single-molecule junctions and the investigation of charge transport through such junctions. Among the techniques for characterization of charge transport through molecular junctions, electronic noise characterization is an effective strategy with which issues from molecule-electrode interfaces, mechanisms of charge transport, and changes in junction configurations are studied. Electronic noise analysis in single-molecule junctions can be used to identify molecular conformations and even monitor reaction kinetics. This review summarizes the various types of electronic noise that have been characterized during single-molecule electrical detection, including the functions of random telegraph signal (RTS) noise, flicker noise, shot noise, and their corresponding applications, which provide some guidelines for the future application of these techniques to problems of charge transport through single-molecule junctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saisai Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering iChEM, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China
| | - Tengyang Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering iChEM, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China
| | - Wenqiang Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering iChEM, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China
| | - Zhichao Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering iChEM, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China
| | - Junyang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering iChEM, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China
| | - Jia Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering iChEM, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China
| | - Wenjing Hong
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering iChEM, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
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3
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Ferri N, Algethami N, Vezzoli A, Sangtarash S, McLaughlin M, Sadeghi H, Lambert CJ, Nichols RJ, Higgins SJ. Hemilabile Ligands as Mechanosensitive Electrode Contacts for Molecular Electronics. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2019; 58:16583-16589. [PMID: 31364249 PMCID: PMC6899542 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201906400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Single-molecule junctions that are sensitive to compression or elongation are an emerging class of nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS). Although the molecule-electrode interface can be engineered to impart such functionality, most studies to date rely on poorly defined interactions. We focused on this issue by synthesizing molecular wires designed to have chemically defined hemilabile contacts based on (methylthio)thiophene moieties. We measured their conductance as a function of junction size and observed conductance changes of up to two orders of magnitude as junctions were compressed and stretched. Localised interactions between weakly coordinating thienyl sulfurs and the electrodes are responsible for the observed effect and allow reversible monodentate⇄bidentate contact transitions as the junction is modulated in size. We observed an up to ≈100-fold sensitivity boost of the (methylthio)thiophene-terminated molecular wire compared with its non-hemilabile (methylthio)benzene counterpart and demonstrate a previously unexplored application of hemilabile ligands to molecular electronics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolò Ferri
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of LiverpoolCrown StreetLiverpoolL69 7ZDUK
| | | | - Andrea Vezzoli
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of LiverpoolCrown StreetLiverpoolL69 7ZDUK
| | - Sara Sangtarash
- Department of PhysicsLancaster UniversityLancasterLA1 4YBUK
- School of EngineeringUniversity of WarwickCoventryCV4 7ALUK
| | - Maeve McLaughlin
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of LiverpoolCrown StreetLiverpoolL69 7ZDUK
| | - Hatef Sadeghi
- Department of PhysicsLancaster UniversityLancasterLA1 4YBUK
- School of EngineeringUniversity of WarwickCoventryCV4 7ALUK
| | | | - Richard J. Nichols
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of LiverpoolCrown StreetLiverpoolL69 7ZDUK
| | - Simon J. Higgins
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of LiverpoolCrown StreetLiverpoolL69 7ZDUK
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4
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Herrer L, Ismael A, Martín S, Milan DC, Serrano JL, Nichols RJ, Lambert C, Cea P. Single molecule vs. large area design of molecular electronic devices incorporating an efficient 2-aminepyridine double anchoring group. NANOSCALE 2019; 11:15871-15880. [PMID: 31414113 DOI: 10.1039/c9nr05662a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
When a molecule is bound to external electrodes by terminal anchor groups, the latter are of paramount importance in determining the electrical conductance of the resulting molecular junction. Here we explore the electrical properties of a molecule with bidentate anchor groups, namely 4,4'-(1,4-phenylenebis(ethyne-2,1-diyl))bis(pyridin-2-amine), in both large area devices and at the single molecule level. We find an electrical conductance of 0.6 × 10-4G0 and 1.2 × 10-4G0 for the monolayer and for the single molecule, respectively. These values are approximately one order of magnitude higher than those reported for monodentate materials having the same molecular skeleton. A combination of theory and experiments is employed to understand the conductance of monolayer and single molecule electrical junctions featuring this new multidentate anchor group. Our results demonstrate that the molecule has a tilt angle of 30° with respect to the normal to the surface in the monolayer, while the break-off length in the single molecule junction occurs for molecules having a tilt angle estimated as 40°, which would account for the difference in their conductance values per molecule. The bidentate 2-aminepyridine anchor is of general interest as a contact group, since this terminal functionalized aromatic ring favours binding of the adsorbate to the metal contact resulting in enhanced conductance values.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Herrer
- Departamento de Química Física, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain. and Instituto de Nanociencia de Aragón (INA) and Laboratorio de Microscopias Avanzadas (LMA), Edificio I+D Campus Río Ebro, Universidad de Zaragoza, C/Mariano Esquillor, s/n, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain.
| | - A Ismael
- Department of Physics, University of Lancaster, Lancaster, LA1 4YB, UK. and Department of Physics, College of Education for Pure Science, Tikrit University, Tikrit, Iraq
| | - S Martín
- Departamento de Química Física, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain. and Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool, L69 7ZD, UK.
| | - D C Milan
- Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Aragón (ICMA), Universidad de Zaragoza-CSIC, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - J L Serrano
- Instituto de Nanociencia de Aragón (INA) and Laboratorio de Microscopias Avanzadas (LMA), Edificio I+D Campus Río Ebro, Universidad de Zaragoza, C/Mariano Esquillor, s/n, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain. and Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool, L69 7ZD, UK. and Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - R J Nichols
- Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool, L69 7ZD, UK.
| | - C Lambert
- Department of Physics, University of Lancaster, Lancaster, LA1 4YB, UK.
| | - P Cea
- Departamento de Química Física, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain. and Instituto de Nanociencia de Aragón (INA) and Laboratorio de Microscopias Avanzadas (LMA), Edificio I+D Campus Río Ebro, Universidad de Zaragoza, C/Mariano Esquillor, s/n, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain. and Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Aragón (ICMA), Universidad de Zaragoza-CSIC, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
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5
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Ferri N, Algethami N, Vezzoli A, Sangtarash S, McLaughlin M, Sadeghi H, Lambert CJ, Nichols RJ, Higgins SJ. Hemilabile Ligands as Mechanosensitive Electrode Contacts for Molecular Electronics. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201906400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nicolò Ferri
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of Liverpool Crown Street Liverpool L69 7ZD UK
| | - Norah Algethami
- Department of PhysicsLancaster University Lancaster LA1 4YB UK
| | - Andrea Vezzoli
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of Liverpool Crown Street Liverpool L69 7ZD UK
| | - Sara Sangtarash
- Department of PhysicsLancaster University Lancaster LA1 4YB UK
- School of EngineeringUniversity of Warwick Coventry CV4 7AL UK
| | - Maeve McLaughlin
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of Liverpool Crown Street Liverpool L69 7ZD UK
| | - Hatef Sadeghi
- Department of PhysicsLancaster University Lancaster LA1 4YB UK
- School of EngineeringUniversity of Warwick Coventry CV4 7AL UK
| | | | - Richard J. Nichols
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of Liverpool Crown Street Liverpool L69 7ZD UK
| | - Simon J. Higgins
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of Liverpool Crown Street Liverpool L69 7ZD UK
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6
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Tuning the spin transport properties of ferrocene-based single molecule junctions by different linkers. Chem Phys Lett 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cplett.2018.05.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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7
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Kanthasamy K, Ring M, Nettelroth D, Tegenkamp C, Butenschön H, Pauly F, Pfnür H. Charge Transport through Ferrocene 1,1'-Diamine Single-Molecule Junctions. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2016; 12:4849-4856. [PMID: 27432721 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201601051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2016] [Revised: 06/12/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The charge transport through ferrocene 1,1'-diamine (FDA) molecules between gold electrodes is investigated using the mechanically controllable break junction technique combined with a theoretical framework of density functional theory simulations to understand the physics of these molecular junctions. The characteristic conductances of the molecule are measured at low bias as well as current-voltage (IV) characteristics. By fitting the IV characteristics to the single-level model, the values for the position of the molecular level, mainly responsible for the transport, and its coupling to the leads, are obtained. The influence of the binding sites, molecular conformation, and electrode distance are systematically studied from a theoretical perspective. While a strong dependence of conductance on the adsorption geometry is found, the decrease of conductance as a function of electrode distance arises mainly from a decrease of coupling strength of the molecular electronic orbitals through a reduced overlap and, to a lesser extent, from a shift of their alignment with respect to the Fermi energy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karthiga Kanthasamy
- Institut für Festkörperphysik, ATMOS, Appelstr. 2, D-30167, Hannover, Germany
| | - Markus Ring
- Fachbereich Physik, Universitätsstr. 10, D-78464, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Dennes Nettelroth
- Institut für Organische Chemie, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Schneiderberg 1B, D-30167, Hannover, Germany
| | - Christoph Tegenkamp
- Institut für Festkörperphysik, ATMOS, Appelstr. 2, D-30167, Hannover, Germany
- Laboratorium für Nano- und Quantenengineering, Schneiderberg 30, D-30167, Hannover, Germany
| | - Holger Butenschön
- Institut für Organische Chemie, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Schneiderberg 1B, D-30167, Hannover, Germany
| | - Fabian Pauly
- Fachbereich Physik, Universitätsstr. 10, D-78464, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Herbert Pfnür
- Institut für Festkörperphysik, ATMOS, Appelstr. 2, D-30167, Hannover, Germany.
- Laboratorium für Nano- und Quantenengineering, Schneiderberg 30, D-30167, Hannover, Germany.
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8
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Valášek M, Lindner M, Mayor M. Rigid multipodal platforms for metal surfaces. BEILSTEIN JOURNAL OF NANOTECHNOLOGY 2016; 7:374-405. [PMID: 27335731 PMCID: PMC4901557 DOI: 10.3762/bjnano.7.34] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2015] [Accepted: 02/17/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
In this review the recent progress in molecular platforms that form rigid and well-defined contact to a metal surface are discussed. Most of the presented examples have at least three anchoring units in order to control the spatial arrangement of the protruding molecular subunit. Another interesting feature is the lateral orientation of these foot structures which, depending on the particular application, is equally important as the spatial arrangement of the molecules. The numerous approaches towards assembling and organizing functional molecules into specific architectures on metal substrates are reviewed here. Particular attention is paid to variations of both, the core structures and the anchoring groups. Furthermore, the analytical methods enabling the investigation of individual molecules as well as monomolecular layers of ordered platform structures are summarized. The presented multipodal platforms bearing several anchoring groups form considerably more stable molecule-metal contacts than corresponding monopodal analogues and exhibit an enlarged separation of the functional molecules due to the increased footprint, as well as restrict tilting of the functional termini with respect to the metal surface. These platforms are thus ideally suited to tune important properties of the molecule-metal interface. On a single-molecule level, several of these platforms enable the control over the arrangement of the protruding rod-type molecular structures (e.g., molecular wires, switches, rotors, sensors) with respect to the surface of the substrate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Valášek
- Institute of Nanotechnology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, D-76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Marcin Lindner
- Institute of Nanotechnology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, D-76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Marcel Mayor
- Institute of Nanotechnology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, D-76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
- Lehn Institute of Functional Materials (LIFM), Sun Yat-Sen University (SYSU), Xingang Rd. W., Guangzhou, China
- Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, St. Johannsring 19, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland
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9
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Miguel D, Álvarez de Cienfuegos L, Martín-Lasanta A, Morcillo SP, Zotti LA, Leary E, Bürkle M, Asai Y, Jurado R, Cárdenas DJ, Rubio-Bollinger G, Agraït N, Cuerva JM, González MT. Toward Multiple Conductance Pathways with Heterocycle-Based Oligo(phenyleneethynylene) Derivatives. J Am Chem Soc 2015; 137:13818-26. [DOI: 10.1021/jacs.5b05637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Delia Miguel
- Departamento
de Química Orgánica, Universidad de Granada, C. U. Fuentenueva,
Avda. Severo Ochoa s/n, E-18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Luis Álvarez de Cienfuegos
- Departamento
de Química Orgánica, Universidad de Granada, C. U. Fuentenueva,
Avda. Severo Ochoa s/n, E-18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Ana Martín-Lasanta
- Fundación
IMDEA Nanociencia, Ciudad Universitaria de Cantoblanco, E-28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Sara P. Morcillo
- Departamento
de Química Orgánica, Universidad de Granada, C. U. Fuentenueva,
Avda. Severo Ochoa s/n, E-18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Linda A. Zotti
- Departamento
of Física Teórica de la Materia Condensada, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria de Cantoblanco, E-28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Edmund Leary
- Fundación
IMDEA Nanociencia, Ciudad Universitaria de Cantoblanco, E-28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Marius Bürkle
- Nanomaterials
Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8568, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Asai
- Nanomaterials
Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8568, Japan
| | - Rocío Jurado
- Departamento
de Química Orgánica, Universidad de Granada, C. U. Fuentenueva,
Avda. Severo Ochoa s/n, E-18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Diego J. Cárdenas
- Departamento
de Química Orgánica, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria de Cantoblanco, E-28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Gabino Rubio-Bollinger
- Departamento
de Física de la Materia Condensada and Condensed Matter Physics
Center (IFIMAC), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, E-28049 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto
“Nicolás Cabrera”, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria de Cantoblanco, E-28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Nicolás Agraït
- Fundación
IMDEA Nanociencia, Ciudad Universitaria de Cantoblanco, E-28049 Madrid, Spain
- Departamento
de Física de la Materia Condensada and Condensed Matter Physics
Center (IFIMAC), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, E-28049 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto
“Nicolás Cabrera”, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria de Cantoblanco, E-28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan M. Cuerva
- Departamento
de Química Orgánica, Universidad de Granada, C. U. Fuentenueva,
Avda. Severo Ochoa s/n, E-18071 Granada, Spain
| | - M. Teresa González
- Fundación
IMDEA Nanociencia, Ciudad Universitaria de Cantoblanco, E-28049 Madrid, Spain
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10
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Kanthasamy K, Pfnür H. Conductance through single biphenyl molecules: symmetric and asymmetric coupling to electrodes. BEILSTEIN JOURNAL OF NANOTECHNOLOGY 2015; 6:1690-7. [PMID: 26425419 PMCID: PMC4578413 DOI: 10.3762/bjnano.6.171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2015] [Accepted: 07/10/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The contacts and the chemical bonds formed between metallic electrodes and molecules determine to a large extent the conductive properties of single molecular junctions, which represent the smallest possible active elements in an electronic circuit. We therefore investigated in a comparative study, using the break junction technique (MCBJ), the conductive properties of [1,1'-biphenyl]-4,4'-dithiol (M1) and of 4'-mercapto-[1,1'-biphenyl]-4-carbonitrile (M2) between gold electrodes. As a function of electrode separation, characterized by the conductance close to 0 V, we found several plateaus of relative stability, with those close to 0.01G0 being the most pronounced. The overall conductance of symmetric and asymmetric molecules were surprisingly similar, only the range of stability was smaller for M2. While M1 yielded symmetric I-V-curves, only small asymmetries were detected for M2. These are also reflected in the comparable values for coupling parameters using the single level resonance model. The high conductance for the asymmetric molecule is interpreted as a result of coherent coupling of electronic states through the whole molecule, so that the outcome cannot be predicted just by adding conductive properties of individual molecular groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karthiga Kanthasamy
- Institut für Festkörperphysik, ATMOS, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Appelstr. 2, D-30167 Hannover, Germany
| | - Herbert Pfnür
- Institut für Festkörperphysik, ATMOS, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Appelstr. 2, D-30167 Hannover, Germany
- Laboratorium für Nano- und Quantenengineering, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Schneiderberg 30, D-30167 Hannover, Germany
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11
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Inkpen MS, Lemmer M, Fitzpatrick N, Milan DC, Nichols RJ, Long NJ, Albrecht T. New Insights into Single-Molecule Junctions Using a Robust, Unsupervised Approach to Data Collection and Analysis. J Am Chem Soc 2015; 137:9971-81. [DOI: 10.1021/jacs.5b05693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael S. Inkpen
- Department
of Chemistry, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, U.K
| | - Mario Lemmer
- Department
of Chemistry, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, U.K
| | | | - David C. Milan
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZD, U.K
| | - Richard J. Nichols
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZD, U.K
| | - Nicholas J. Long
- Department
of Chemistry, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, U.K
| | - Tim Albrecht
- Department
of Chemistry, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, U.K
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12
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Perrin ML, Verzijl CJO, Martin CA, Shaikh AJ, Eelkema R, van Esch JH, van Ruitenbeek JM, Thijssen JM, van der Zant HSJ, Dulić D. Large tunable image-charge effects in single-molecule junctions. NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY 2013; 8:282-7. [PMID: 23503093 DOI: 10.1038/nnano.2013.26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 152] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2012] [Accepted: 02/01/2013] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Metal/organic interfaces critically determine the characteristics of molecular electronic devices, because they influence the arrangement of the orbital levels that participate in charge transport. Studies on self-assembled monolayers show molecule-dependent energy-level shifts as well as transport-gap renormalization, two effects that suggest that electric-field polarization in the metal substrate induced by the formation of image charges plays a key role in the alignment of the molecular energy levels with respect to the metal's Fermi energy. Here, we provide direct experimental evidence for an electrode-induced gap renormalization in single-molecule junctions. We study charge transport through single porphyrin-type molecules using electrically gateable break junctions. In this set-up, the position of the occupied and unoccupied molecular energy levels can be followed in situ under simultaneous mechanical control. When increasing the electrode separation by just a few ångströms, we observe a substantial increase in the transport gap and level shifts as high as several hundreds of meV. Analysis of this large and tunable gap renormalization based on atomic charges obtained from density functional theory confirms and clarifies the dominant role of image-charge effects in single-molecule junctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mickael L Perrin
- Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Lorentzweg 1, 2628 CJ Delft, The Netherlands
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13
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Chen IWP, Tseng WH, Gu MW, Su LC, Hsu CH, Chang WH, Chen CH. Tactile-feedback stabilized molecular junctions for the measurement of molecular conductance. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2013; 52:2449-53. [PMID: 23341350 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201207116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2012] [Revised: 12/05/2012] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Handling the (AFM) tip: The duration of stable molecular junctions was prolonged using a tactile feedback method in which the operator can sense the force of the AFM tip on the sample surface. The movement of the tip is adjusted accordingly, maintaining a more consistent current (i) and voltage (V), instead of having the tip move at a constant preset speed, as in the conventional setup.
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Affiliation(s)
- I-Wen Peter Chen
- Department of Applied Science, National Taitung University, Taitung, Taiwan 95002, Taiwan
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14
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Chen IWP, Tseng WH, Gu MW, Su LC, Hsu CH, Chang WH, Chen CH. Tactile-Feedback Stabilized Molecular Junctions for the Measurement of Molecular Conductance. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2013. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201207116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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15
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Abstract
Single molecular junctions, in which a single molecule bridges between metal electrodes, have attracted wide attention as novel properties can appear due to their peculiar geometrical and electronic characters. The single molecular junction has also attracted attention due to its potential application in ultrasmall single molecular electronic devices, where single molecules are utilized as active electronic components. Thus, fabrication of single molecular junctions as well as understanding and controlling their properties (e.g. conductance, optical and magnetic properties) have become long-standing goals of scientists and engineers. This review article focuses on the experimental aspects of single molecular junctions, with primary focus on the electron transport mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manabu Kiguchi
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 W4-10 Ookayama, Tokyo 152-8551, Japan.
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16
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Martín-Lasanta A, Miguel D, García T, López-Villanueva JA, Rodríguez-Bolívar S, Gómez-Campos FM, Buñuel E, Cárdenas DJ, de Cienfuegos LÁ, Cuerva JM. Influence of the number of anchoring groups on the electronic and mechanical properties of benzene-, anthracene- and pentacene-based molecular devices. Chemphyschem 2012; 13:860-8. [PMID: 22271673 DOI: 10.1002/cphc.201100582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2011] [Revised: 11/30/2011] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
One of the central issues of molecular electronics (ME) is the study of the molecule-metal electrode contacts, and their implications for the conductivity, charge-transport mechanism, and mechanical stability. In fact, stochastic on/off switching (blinking) reported in STM experiments is a major problem of single-molecule devices, and challenges the stability and reliability of these systems. Surprisingly, the ambiguous STM results all originate from devices that bind to the metallic electrode through a one-atom connection. In the present work, DFT is employed to study and compare the properties of a set of simple acenes that bind to metallic electrodes with an increasing number of connections, in order to determine whether the increasing numbers of anchoring groups have a direct repercussion on the stability of these systems. The conductivities of the three polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are calculated, as well as their transmission spectra and current profiles. The thermal and mechanical stability of these systems is studied by pulling and pushing the metal-molecule connection. The results show that molecules with more than one connection per electrode exhibit greater electrical efficiency and current stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Martín-Lasanta
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
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17
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Lee W, Reddy P. Creation of stable molecular junctions with a custom-designed scanning tunneling microscope. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2011; 22:485703. [PMID: 22071602 DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/22/48/485703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The scanning tunneling microscope break junction (STMBJ) technique is a powerful approach for creating single-molecule junctions and studying electrical transport in them. However, junctions created using the STMBJ technique are usually mechanically stable for relatively short times (<1 s), impeding detailed studies of their charge transport characteristics. Here, we report a custom-designed scanning tunneling microscope that enables the creation of metal-single molecule-metal junctions that are mechanically stable for more than 1 minute at room temperature. This stability is achieved by a design that minimizes thermal drift as well as the effect of environmental perturbations. The utility of this instrument is demonstrated by performing transition voltage spectroscopy-at the single-molecule level-on Au-hexanedithiol-Au, Au-octanedithiol-Au and Au-decanedithiol-Au junctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Woochul Lee
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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18
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Xiang D, Pyatkov F, Schröper F, Offenhäusser A, Zhang Y, Mayer D. Molecular Junctions Bridged by Metal Ion Complexes. Chemistry 2011; 17:13166-9. [PMID: 22002556 DOI: 10.1002/chem.201102915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2011] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dong Xiang
- Peter-Grünberg-Institute, PGI-8, Research Center Jülich and JARA, Fundamentals of Future Information Technology, Juelich 52425, Germany
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19
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Perrin ML, Prins F, Martin CA, Shaikh AJ, Eelkema R, van Esch JH, Briza T, Kaplanek R, Kral V, van Ruitenbeek JM, van der Zant HSJ, Dulić D. Influence of the Chemical Structure on the Stability and Conductance of Porphyrin Single-Molecule Junctions. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2011. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201104757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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20
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Perrin ML, Prins F, Martin CA, Shaikh AJ, Eelkema R, van Esch JH, Briza T, Kaplanek R, Kral V, van Ruitenbeek JM, van der Zant HSJ, Dulić D. Influence of the chemical structure on the stability and conductance of porphyrin single-molecule junctions. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2011; 50:11223-6. [PMID: 21957060 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201104757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2011] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mickael L Perrin
- Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Lorentzweg 1, 2628 CJ Delft, The Netherlands
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21
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Perrin ML, Martin CA, Prins F, Shaikh AJ, Eelkema R, van Esch JH, van Ruitenbeek JM, van der Zant HSJ, Dulić D. Charge transport in a zinc-porphyrin single-molecule junction. BEILSTEIN JOURNAL OF NANOTECHNOLOGY 2011; 2:714-9. [PMID: 22043461 PMCID: PMC3201625 DOI: 10.3762/bjnano.2.77] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2011] [Accepted: 09/26/2011] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
We have investigated charge transport in ZnTPPdT-Pyr (TPPdT: 5,15-di(p-thiolphenyl)-10,20-di(p-tolyl)porphyrin) molecular junctions using the lithographic mechanically controllable break-junction (MCBJ) technique at room temperature and cryogenic temperature (6 K). We combined low-bias statistical measurements with spectroscopy of the molecular levels in the form of I(V) characteristics. This combination allows us to characterize the transport in a molecular junction in detail. This complex molecule can form different junction configurations, having an observable effect on the trace histograms and the current-voltage (I(V)) measurements. Both methods show that multiple, stable single-molecule junction configurations can be obtained by modulating the interelectrode distance. In addition we demonstrate that different ZnTPPdT-Pyr junction configurations can lead to completely different spectroscopic features with the same conductance values. We show that statistical low-bias conductance measurements should be interpreted with care, and that the combination with I(V) spectroscopy represents an essential tool for a more detailed characterization of the charge transport in a single molecule.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mickael L Perrin
- Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Lorentzweg 1, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Christian A Martin
- Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Lorentzweg 1, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Ferry Prins
- Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Lorentzweg 1, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Ahson J Shaikh
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Julianalaan 136, 2628 BL Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Rienk Eelkema
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Julianalaan 136, 2628 BL Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Jan H van Esch
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Julianalaan 136, 2628 BL Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Jan M van Ruitenbeek
- Kamerlingh Onnes Laboratory, Leiden University, Niels Bohrweg 2, 2333 CA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Herre S J van der Zant
- Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Lorentzweg 1, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Diana Dulić
- Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Lorentzweg 1, Delft, The Netherlands
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22
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Seldenthuis JS, Prins F, Thijssen JM, van der Zant HSJ. An all-electric single-molecule motor. ACS NANO 2010; 4:6681-6. [PMID: 20936795 DOI: 10.1021/nn1021499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Many types of molecular motors have been proposed and synthesized in recent years, displaying different kinds of motion, and fueled by different driving forces such as light, heat, or chemical reactions. We propose a new type of molecular motor based on electric field actuation and electric current detection of the rotational motion of a molecular dipole embedded in a three-terminal single-molecule device. The key aspect of this all-electronic design is the conjugated backbone of the molecule, which simultaneously provides the potential landscape of the rotor orientation and a real-time measure of that orientation through the modulation of the conductivity. Using quantum chemistry calculations, we show that this approach provides full control over the speed and continuity of motion, thereby combining electrical and mechanical control at the molecular level over a wide range of temperatures. Moreover, chemistry can be used to change all key parameters of the device, enabling a variety of new experiments on molecular motors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes S Seldenthuis
- Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Lorentzweg 1, 2628 CJ Delft, The Netherlands.
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23
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Yokota K, Taniguchi M, Tsutsui M, Kawai T. Molecule−Electrode Bonding Design for High Single-Molecule Conductance. J Am Chem Soc 2010; 132:17364-5. [DOI: 10.1021/ja108032q] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kazumichi Yokota
- The Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research, Osaka University, 8-1 Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0047, Japan, and PRESTO, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Honcho, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan
| | - Masateru Taniguchi
- The Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research, Osaka University, 8-1 Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0047, Japan, and PRESTO, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Honcho, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan
| | - Makusu Tsutsui
- The Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research, Osaka University, 8-1 Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0047, Japan, and PRESTO, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Honcho, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan
| | - Tomoji Kawai
- The Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research, Osaka University, 8-1 Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0047, Japan, and PRESTO, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Honcho, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan
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