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Tang C, Su M, Lu T, Zheng J, Wang J, Zhou Y, Zou YL, Liu W, Huang R, Xu W, Chen L, Zhang Y, Bai J, Yang Y, Shi J, Liu J, Hong W. Massive acceleration of S N2 reaction using the oriented external electric field. Chem Sci 2024; 15:13486-13494. [PMID: 39183916 PMCID: PMC11339978 DOI: 10.1039/d4sc03759f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Nucleophilic substitution is one of the most fundamental chemical reactions, and the pursuit of high reaction rates of the reaction is one of the ultimate goals in catalytic and organic chemistry. The reaction barrier of the nucleophilic substitution originates from the highly polar nature of the transition state that can be stabilized under the electric field created by the solvent environment. However, the intensity of the induced solvent-electric field is relatively small due to the random orientation of solvent molecules, which hinders the catalytic effects and restricts the reaction rates. This work shows that oriented external electric fields applied within a confined nanogap between two nanoscopic tips could accelerate the Menshutkin reaction by more than four orders of magnitude (over 39 000 times). The theoretical calculations reveal that the electric field inside the nanogap reduces the energy barrier to increase the reaction rate. Our work suggests the great potential of electrostatic catalysis for green synthesis in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Innovation Laboratory for Sciences and Technologies of Energy Materials of Fujian Province (IKKEM), Xiamen University Xiamen China
| | - Meiling Su
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Innovation Laboratory for Sciences and Technologies of Energy Materials of Fujian Province (IKKEM), Xiamen University Xiamen China
| | - Taige Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Innovation Laboratory for Sciences and Technologies of Energy Materials of Fujian Province (IKKEM), Xiamen University Xiamen China
| | - Jueting Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Innovation Laboratory for Sciences and Technologies of Energy Materials of Fujian Province (IKKEM), Xiamen University Xiamen China
| | - Juejun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Innovation Laboratory for Sciences and Technologies of Energy Materials of Fujian Province (IKKEM), Xiamen University Xiamen China
| | - Yu Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Innovation Laboratory for Sciences and Technologies of Energy Materials of Fujian Province (IKKEM), Xiamen University Xiamen China
| | - Yu-Ling Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Innovation Laboratory for Sciences and Technologies of Energy Materials of Fujian Province (IKKEM), Xiamen University Xiamen China
| | - Wenqing Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Innovation Laboratory for Sciences and Technologies of Energy Materials of Fujian Province (IKKEM), Xiamen University Xiamen China
| | - Ruiyun Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Innovation Laboratory for Sciences and Technologies of Energy Materials of Fujian Province (IKKEM), Xiamen University Xiamen China
| | - Wei Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Innovation Laboratory for Sciences and Technologies of Energy Materials of Fujian Province (IKKEM), Xiamen University Xiamen China
| | - Lijue Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Innovation Laboratory for Sciences and Technologies of Energy Materials of Fujian Province (IKKEM), Xiamen University Xiamen China
| | - Yanxi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Innovation Laboratory for Sciences and Technologies of Energy Materials of Fujian Province (IKKEM), Xiamen University Xiamen China
| | - Jie Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Innovation Laboratory for Sciences and Technologies of Energy Materials of Fujian Province (IKKEM), Xiamen University Xiamen China
| | - Yang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Innovation Laboratory for Sciences and Technologies of Energy Materials of Fujian Province (IKKEM), Xiamen University Xiamen China
| | - Jia Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Innovation Laboratory for Sciences and Technologies of Energy Materials of Fujian Province (IKKEM), Xiamen University Xiamen China
| | - Junyang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Innovation Laboratory for Sciences and Technologies of Energy Materials of Fujian Province (IKKEM), Xiamen University Xiamen China
| | - Wenjing Hong
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Innovation Laboratory for Sciences and Technologies of Energy Materials of Fujian Province (IKKEM), Xiamen University Xiamen China
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Gao C, Gao Q, Zhao C, Huo Y, Zhang Z, Yang J, Jia C, Guo X. Technologies for investigating single-molecule chemical reactions. Natl Sci Rev 2024; 11:nwae236. [PMID: 39224448 PMCID: PMC11367963 DOI: 10.1093/nsr/nwae236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 06/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Single molecules, the smallest independently stable units in the material world, serve as the fundamental building blocks of matter. Among different branches of single-molecule sciences, single-molecule chemical reactions, by revealing the behavior and properties of individual molecules at the molecular scale, are particularly attractive because they can advance the understanding of chemical reaction mechanisms and help to address key scientific problems in broad fields such as physics, chemistry, biology and materials science. This review provides a timely, comprehensive overview of single-molecule chemical reactions based on various technical platforms such as scanning probe microscopy, single-molecule junction, single-molecule nanostructure, single-molecule fluorescence detection and crossed molecular beam. We present multidimensional analyses of single-molecule chemical reactions, offering new perspectives for research in different areas, such as photocatalysis/electrocatalysis, organic reactions, surface reactions and biological reactions. Finally, we discuss the opportunities and challenges in this thriving field of single-molecule chemical reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunyan Gao
- Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Micro-Scale Optical Information Science and Technology, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Qinghua Gao
- Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Micro-Scale Optical Information Science and Technology, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Cong Zhao
- Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Micro-Scale Optical Information Science and Technology, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Yani Huo
- Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Micro-Scale Optical Information Science and Technology, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Zhizhuo Zhang
- Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Micro-Scale Optical Information Science and Technology, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Jinlong Yang
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Chuancheng Jia
- Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Micro-Scale Optical Information Science and Technology, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Xuefeng Guo
- Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Micro-Scale Optical Information Science and Technology, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, National Biomedical Imaging Center, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
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3
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Reimers JR, Li T, Birvé AP, Yang L, Aragonès AC, Fallon T, Kosov DS, Darwish N. Controlling piezoresistance in single molecules through the isomerisation of bullvalenes. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6089. [PMID: 37789027 PMCID: PMC10547723 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41674-z] [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: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Nanoscale electro-mechanical systems (NEMS) displaying piezoresistance offer unique measurement opportunities at the sub-cellular level, in detectors and sensors, and in emerging generations of integrated electronic devices. Here, we show a single-molecule NEMS piezoresistor that operates utilising constitutional and conformational isomerisation of individual diaryl-bullvalene molecules and can be switched at 850 Hz. Observations are made using scanning tunnelling microscopy break junction (STMBJ) techniques to characterise piezoresistance, combined with blinking (current-time) experiments that follow single-molecule reactions in real time. A kinetic Monte Carlo methodology (KMC) is developed to simulate isomerisation on the experimental timescale, parameterised using density-functional theory (DFT) combined with non-equilibrium Green's function (NEGF) calculations. Results indicate that piezoresistance is controlled by both constitutional and conformational isomerisation, occurring at rates that are either fast (equilibrium) or slow (non-equilibrium) compared to the experimental timescale. Two different types of STMBJ traces are observed, one typical of traditional experiments that are interpreted in terms of intramolecular isomerisation occurring on stable tipped-shaped metal-contact junctions, and another attributed to arise from junction‒interface restructuring induced by bullvalene isomerisation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey R Reimers
- International Centre for Quantum and Molecular Structures and the Department of Physics, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China.
- School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia.
| | - Tiexin Li
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, 6102, Australia
| | - André P Birvé
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Likun Yang
- International Centre for Quantum and Molecular Structures and the Department of Physics, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Albert C Aragonès
- Department of Materials Science and Physical Chemistry, University of Barcelona, Marti i Franquès 1, 08028, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Institute of Theoretical and Computational Chemistry, University of Barcelona, Diagonal 645, 08028, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Thomas Fallon
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.
| | - Daniel S Kosov
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia.
| | - Nadim Darwish
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, 6102, Australia.
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4
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Dief EM, Low PJ, Díez-Pérez I, Darwish N. Advances in single-molecule junctions as tools for chemical and biochemical analysis. Nat Chem 2023; 15:600-614. [PMID: 37106094 DOI: 10.1038/s41557-023-01178-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
The development of miniaturized electronics has led to the design and construction of powerful experimental platforms capable of measuring electronic properties to the level of single molecules, along with new theoretical concepts to aid in the interpretation of the data. A new area of activity is now emerging concerned with repurposing the tools of molecular electronics for applications in chemical and biological analysis. Single-molecule junction techniques, such as the scanning tunnelling microscope break junction and related single-molecule circuit approaches have a remarkable capacity to transduce chemical information from individual molecules, sampled in real time, to electrical signals. In this Review, we discuss single-molecule junction approaches as emerging analytical tools for the chemical and biological sciences. We demonstrate how these analytical techniques are being extended to systems capable of probing chemical reaction mechanisms. We also examine how molecular junctions enable the detection of RNA, DNA, and traces of proteins in solution with limits of detection at the zeptomole level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Essam M Dief
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Paul J Low
- School of Molecular Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Ismael Díez-Pérez
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural & Mathematical Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Nadim Darwish
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia.
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5
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Lyu Y, An L, Zeng H, Zheng F, Guo J, Zhang P, Yang H, Li H. First-passage time analysis of diffusion-controlled reactions in single-molecule detection. Talanta 2023; 260:124569. [PMID: 37116360 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2023.124569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
Single-molecule detection (SMD) aims to achieve the ultimate limit-of-detection (LOD) in biosensing. This method detects a countable number of targeted analyte molecules in solution, where the dynamics of molecule diffusion, capturing, identification and delivery greatly impact the SMD's efficiency and accuracy. In this study, we adopt the first-passage time method to investigate the diffusion-controlled reaction process in SMD. We analyze the influence of detection conditions on incubation time and the expected coefficient of variation (CV) under three SMD molecule capturing strategies, including solid-phase capturing (one-dimensional solid-liquid interface fixation), liquid-phase magnetic bead (MB) capturing, and liquid-phase direct fluorescence pair labeling. We find that inside a finite-sized reaction chamber, a finite average reaction time exists in all three capturing strategies, while the liquid-phase strategies are in general more efficient than the solid-phase approaches. CV can be estimated by averaging first-passage time solely in all three strategies, and the CV reduction is achievable given an extended reaction time. To further enable zeptomolar detection, extra treatments, such as adopting liquid-phase fluorescence pairs with high diffusion rates to label the molecule, or designing specific sensing devices with large effective sensing areas would be required. This framework provides solid theoretical support to guide the design of SMD sensing strategies and sensor structures to achieve desired measurement time and CV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingkai Lyu
- National Innovation Center for Advanced Medical Devices, Shenzhen, China; Bionic Sensing and Intelligence Center, Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lixiang An
- National Innovation Center for Advanced Medical Devices, Shenzhen, China
| | - Huaiyang Zeng
- National Innovation Center for Advanced Medical Devices, Shenzhen, China; Bionic Sensing and Intelligence Center, Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Feng Zheng
- National Innovation Center for Advanced Medical Devices, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jiajia Guo
- Bionic Sensing and Intelligence Center, Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Pengcheng Zhang
- Bionic Sensing and Intelligence Center, Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hui Yang
- Bionic Sensing and Intelligence Center, Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hao Li
- National Innovation Center for Advanced Medical Devices, Shenzhen, China.
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6
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Yang C, Yang C, Guo Y, Feng J, Guo X. Graphene-molecule-graphene single-molecule junctions to detect electronic reactions at the molecular scale. Nat Protoc 2023:10.1038/s41596-023-00822-x. [PMID: 37045993 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-023-00822-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
The ability to measure the behavior of a single molecule during a reaction implies the detection of inherent dynamic and static disordered states, which may not be represented when measuring ensemble averages. Here, we describe the building of devices with graphene-molecule-graphene single-molecule junctions integrated into an electrical circuit. These devices are simple to build and are stable, showing tolerance to mechanical changes, solution environment and voltage stimulation. The design of a conductive channel based on a single molecule enables single-molecule detection and is sensitive to variations in physical properties and chemical structures of the detected molecules. The on-chip setup of single-molecule junctions further offers complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) compatibility, enabling logic functions in circuit elements, as well as deciphering of reaction intermediates. We detail the experimental procedure to prepare graphene transistor arrays as a basis for single-molecule junctions and the preparation of nanogapped carboxyl-terminal graphene electrodes by using electron-beam lithography and oxygen plasma etching. We describe the basic design of a molecular bridge with desired functions and terminals to form covalent bonds with electrode arrays, via a chemical reaction, to construct stably integrated single-molecule devices with a yield of 30-50% per chip. The immobilization of the single molecules is then characterized by using inelastic electron tunneling spectra, single-molecule imaging and fluorescent spectra. The whole protocol can be implemented within 2 weeks and requires users trained in using ultra-clean laboratory facilities and the aforementioned instrumentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Yang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, National Biomedical Imaging Centre, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Caiyao Yang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, National Biomedical Imaging Centre, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yilin Guo
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, National Biomedical Imaging Centre, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianfei Feng
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, National Biomedical Imaging Centre, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuefeng Guo
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, National Biomedical Imaging Centre, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
- Centre of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, Frontiers Science Centre for New Organic Matter, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Micro-scale Optical Information Science and Technology, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, People's Republic of China.
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7
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Li P, Zhou L, Zhao C, Ju H, Gao Q, Si W, Cheng L, Hao J, Li M, Chen Y, Jia C, Guo X. Single-molecule nano-optoelectronics: insights from physics. REPORTS ON PROGRESS IN PHYSICS. PHYSICAL SOCIETY (GREAT BRITAIN) 2022; 85:086401. [PMID: 35623319 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6633/ac7401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Single-molecule optoelectronic devices promise a potential solution for miniaturization and functionalization of silicon-based microelectronic circuits in the future. For decades of its fast development, this field has made significant progress in the synthesis of optoelectronic materials, the fabrication of single-molecule devices and the realization of optoelectronic functions. On the other hand, single-molecule optoelectronic devices offer a reliable platform to investigate the intrinsic physical phenomena and regulation rules of matters at the single-molecule level. To further realize and regulate the optoelectronic functions toward practical applications, it is necessary to clarify the intrinsic physical mechanisms of single-molecule optoelectronic nanodevices. Here, we provide a timely review to survey the physical phenomena and laws involved in single-molecule optoelectronic materials and devices, including charge effects, spin effects, exciton effects, vibronic effects, structural and orbital effects. In particular, we will systematically summarize the basics of molecular optoelectronic materials, and the physical effects and manipulations of single-molecule optoelectronic nanodevices. In addition, fundamentals of single-molecule electronics, which are basic of single-molecule optoelectronics, can also be found in this review. At last, we tend to focus the discussion on the opportunities and challenges arising in the field of single-molecule optoelectronics, and propose further potential breakthroughs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peihui Li
- Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Micro-Scale Optical Information Science and Technology, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Zhou
- Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Micro-Scale Optical Information Science and Technology, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, People's Republic of China
| | - Cong Zhao
- Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Micro-Scale Optical Information Science and Technology, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongyu Ju
- Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Micro-Scale Optical Information Science and Technology, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, People's Republic of China
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, 92 Weijin Road, Nankai District, Tianjin 300072, People's Republic of China
| | - Qinghua Gao
- Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Micro-Scale Optical Information Science and Technology, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Si
- Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Micro-Scale Optical Information Science and Technology, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Cheng
- Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Micro-Scale Optical Information Science and Technology, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Hao
- Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Micro-Scale Optical Information Science and Technology, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, People's Republic of China
| | - Mengmeng Li
- Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Micro-Scale Optical Information Science and Technology, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, People's Republic of China
| | - Yijian Chen
- Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Micro-Scale Optical Information Science and Technology, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, People's Republic of China
| | - Chuancheng Jia
- Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Micro-Scale Optical Information Science and Technology, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, People's Republic of China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, National Biomedical Imaging Center, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, 292 Chengfu Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuefeng Guo
- Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Micro-Scale Optical Information Science and Technology, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, People's Republic of China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, National Biomedical Imaging Center, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, 292 Chengfu Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
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8
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He Q, Tang L. Sub-5 nm nanogap electrodes towards single-molecular biosensing. Biosens Bioelectron 2022; 213:114486. [PMID: 35749816 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2022.114486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Nanogap electrodes (NGEs) with sub-5 nm gap has been widely used in single-molecule sensing and sequencing, with the characteristics of label-free, high sensitivity, rapid detection and low-cost. However, the fabrication of sub-5 nm gap electrodes with high controllability and reproducibility still remains a great challenge that impedes the experimental research and the commercialization of the nanogap device. Here, we review the common currently used fabrication methods of nanogap electrodes, such as gap narrowing deposition, mechanical controllable break junctions and the fabrication methods combined with nanopore or nanochannel. We then highlight the typical applications of nanogap electrodes in biological/chemical sensing fields, including single molecule recognition, single molecule sequencing and chemical kinetics analysis. Finally, the challenges of nanogap electrodes in single molecule sensing/sequencing are outlined and the future directions for sensing perspectives are suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuxiang He
- State Key Laboratory of Modern Optical Instrumentation, College of Optical Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Longhua Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Modern Optical Instrumentation, College of Optical Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China.
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9
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Su D, Zhou S, Masai H, Liu Z, Zhou C, Yang C, Li Z, Tsuda S, Liu Z, Terao J, Guo X. Stochastic Binding Dynamics of a Photoswitchable Single Supramolecular Complex. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2200022. [PMID: 35233985 PMCID: PMC9069358 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202200022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
In this work, a real-time precise electrical method to directly monitor the stochastic binding dynamics of a single supramolecule based on the host-guest interaction between a cyclodextrin and an azo compound is reported. Different intermolecular binding states during the binding process are distinguished by conductance signals detected from graphene-molecule-graphene single-molecule junctions. In combination with theoretical calculations, the reciprocating and unidirectional motions in the trans form as well as the restrained reciprocating motion in the cis form due to the steric hindrance is observed, which could be reversibly switched by visible and UV irradiation. The integration of individual supramolecules into nanocircuits not only offers a facile and effective strategy to probe the dynamic process of supramolecular systems, but also paves the way to construct functional molecular devices toward real applications such as switches, sensors, and logic devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dingkai Su
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular SciencesNational Biomedical Imaging CenterCollege of Chemistry and Molecular EngineeringPeking UniversityBeijing100871P. R. China
| | - Shuyao Zhou
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular SciencesNational Biomedical Imaging CenterCollege of Chemistry and Molecular EngineeringPeking UniversityBeijing100871P. R. China
| | - Hiroshi Masai
- Department of Basic ScienceGraduate School of Arts and SciencesThe University of TokyoTokyo153‐8902Japan
| | - Zihao Liu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular SciencesNational Biomedical Imaging CenterCollege of Chemistry and Molecular EngineeringPeking UniversityBeijing100871P. R. China
| | - Ce Zhou
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular SciencesNational Biomedical Imaging CenterCollege of Chemistry and Molecular EngineeringPeking UniversityBeijing100871P. R. China
| | - Chen Yang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular SciencesNational Biomedical Imaging CenterCollege of Chemistry and Molecular EngineeringPeking UniversityBeijing100871P. R. China
| | - Zhizhou Li
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular SciencesNational Biomedical Imaging CenterCollege of Chemistry and Molecular EngineeringPeking UniversityBeijing100871P. R. China
| | - Susumu Tsuda
- Department of ChemistryOsaka Dental UniversityOsaka573‐1121Japan
| | - Zhirong Liu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular SciencesNational Biomedical Imaging CenterCollege of Chemistry and Molecular EngineeringPeking UniversityBeijing100871P. R. China
| | - Jun Terao
- Department of Basic ScienceGraduate School of Arts and SciencesThe University of TokyoTokyo153‐8902Japan
| | - Xuefeng Guo
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular SciencesNational Biomedical Imaging CenterCollege of Chemistry and Molecular EngineeringPeking UniversityBeijing100871P. R. China
- Center of Single‐Molecule SciencesInstitute of Modern OpticsFrontiers Science Center for New Organic MatterCollege of Electronic Information and Optical EngineeringNankai University38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan DistrictTianjin300350P. R. China
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10
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Lin XC, Chen F, Zhang K, Li J, Jiang JH, Yu RQ. Single Molecule-Level Detection via Liposome-Based Signal Amplification Mass Spectrometry Counting Assay. Anal Chem 2022; 94:6120-6129. [PMID: 35412803 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.1c04984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Because of the low atomization and/or ionization efficiencies of many biological macromolecules, the application of mass spectrometry to the direct quantitative detection of low-abundance proteins and nucleic acids remains a significant challenge. Herein, we report mass spectrum tags (MS-tags) based upon gold nanoparticle (AuNP)-templated phosphatidylcholine phospholipid (DSPC) liposomes, which exhibit high and reliable signals via electrospray ionization (ESI). Using these MS-tags, we constructed a liposome signal amplification-based mass spectrometric (LSAMS) "digital" counting assay to enable ultrasensitive detection of target nucleic acids. The LSAMS system consists of liposomes modified with a gold nanoparticle core and surface-anchored photocleavable DNA. In the presence of target nucleic acids, the modified liposome and a magnetic bead simultaneously hybridize with the target nucleic acid. After magnetic separation and photolysis, the MS-tag is released and can be analyzed by ESI-MS. At very low target concentrations, one liposome particle corresponds to one target molecule; thus, the concentration of the target can be estimated by counting the number of liposomes. With this assay, hepatitis C (HCV) virus RNA was successfully analyzed in clinical samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang-Cheng Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China.,School of Materials Science and Engineering, Guilin University of Electronic Technology, Guilin 541004, China
| | - Fei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Ke Zhang
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Jishan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Jian-Hui Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Ru-Qin Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
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11
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Xie X, Li P, Xu Y, Zhou L, Yan Y, Xie L, Jia C, Guo X. Single-Molecule Junction: A Reliable Platform for Monitoring Molecular Physical and Chemical Processes. ACS NANO 2022; 16:3476-3505. [PMID: 35179354 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c11433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Monitoring and manipulating the physical and chemical behavior of single molecules is an important development direction of molecular electronics that aids in understanding the molecular world at the single-molecule level. The electrical detection platform based on single-molecule junctions can monitor physical and chemical processes at the single-molecule level with a high temporal resolution, stability, and signal-to-noise ratio. Recently, the combination of single-molecule junctions with different multimodal control systems has been widely used to explore significant physical and chemical phenomena because of its powerful monitoring and control capabilities. In this review, we focus on the applications of single-molecule junctions in monitoring molecular physical and chemical processes. The methods developed for characterizing single-molecule charge transfer and spin characteristics as well as revealing the corresponding intrinsic mechanisms are introduced. Dynamic detection and regulation of single-molecule conformational isomerization, intermolecular interactions, and chemical reactions are also discussed in detail. In addition to these dynamic investigations, this review discusses the open challenges of single-molecule detection in the fields of physics and chemistry and proposes some potential applications in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinmiao Xie
- Center for Molecular Systems and Organic Devices (CMSOD), Key Laboratory for Organic Electronics and Information Displays and Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM), Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Nanjing 210023, PR China
| | - Peihui Li
- Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Micro-scale Optical Information Science and Technology, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, PR China
| | - Yanxia Xu
- Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Micro-scale Optical Information Science and Technology, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, PR China
| | - Li Zhou
- Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Micro-scale Optical Information Science and Technology, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, PR China
| | - Yong Yan
- Center for Molecular Systems and Organic Devices (CMSOD), Key Laboratory for Organic Electronics and Information Displays and Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM), Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Nanjing 210023, PR China
| | - Linghai Xie
- Center for Molecular Systems and Organic Devices (CMSOD), Key Laboratory for Organic Electronics and Information Displays and Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM), Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Nanjing 210023, PR China
| | - Chuancheng Jia
- Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Micro-scale Optical Information Science and Technology, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, PR China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, National Biomedical Imaging Center, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, 292 Chengfu Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100871, PR China
| | - Xuefeng Guo
- Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Micro-scale Optical Information Science and Technology, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, PR China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, National Biomedical Imaging Center, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, 292 Chengfu Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100871, PR China
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12
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Meng L, Xin N, Hu C, Sabea HA, Zhang M, Jiang H, Ji Y, Jia C, Yan Z, Zhang Q, Gu L, He X, Selvanathan P, Norel L, Rigaut S, Guo H, Meng S, Guo X. Dual-gated single-molecule field-effect transistors beyond Moore's law. Nat Commun 2022; 13:1410. [PMID: 35301285 PMCID: PMC8931007 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28999-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
As conventional silicon-based transistors are fast approaching the physical limit, it is essential to seek alternative candidates, which should be compatible with or even replace microelectronics in the future. Here, we report a robust solid-state single-molecule field-effect transistor architecture using graphene source/drain electrodes and a metal back-gate electrode. The transistor is constructed by a single dinuclear ruthenium-diarylethene (Ru-DAE) complex, acting as the conducting channel, connecting covalently with nanogapped graphene electrodes, providing field-effect behaviors with a maximum on/off ratio exceeding three orders of magnitude. Use of ultrathin high-k metal oxides as the dielectric layers is key in successfully achieving such a high performance. Additionally, Ru-DAE preserves its intrinsic photoisomerisation property, which enables a reversible photoswitching function. Both experimental and theoretical results demonstrate these distinct dual-gated behaviors consistently at the single-molecule level, which helps to develop the different technology for creation of practical ultraminiaturised functional electrical circuits beyond Moore's law.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linan Meng
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, National Biomedical Imaging Center, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, 292 Chengfu Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100871, PR China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, PR China
| | - Na Xin
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, National Biomedical Imaging Center, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, 292 Chengfu Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100871, PR China
| | - Chen Hu
- Center for the Physics of Materials and Department of Physics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H3A 2T8, Canada
| | - Hassan Al Sabea
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, ISCR (Institut des Sciences Chimiques de Rennes)-UMR 6226, F-35000, Rennes, France
| | - Miao Zhang
- Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin, 300350, PR China
| | - Hongyu Jiang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, PR China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, PR China
| | - Yiru Ji
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, PR China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, PR China
| | - Chuancheng Jia
- Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin, 300350, PR China
| | - Zhuang Yan
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, National Biomedical Imaging Center, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, 292 Chengfu Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100871, PR China
| | - Qinghua Zhang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, PR China
| | - Lin Gu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, PR China
| | - Xiaoyan He
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, ISCR (Institut des Sciences Chimiques de Rennes)-UMR 6226, F-35000, Rennes, France
| | - Pramila Selvanathan
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, ISCR (Institut des Sciences Chimiques de Rennes)-UMR 6226, F-35000, Rennes, France
| | - Lucie Norel
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, ISCR (Institut des Sciences Chimiques de Rennes)-UMR 6226, F-35000, Rennes, France
| | - Stéphane Rigaut
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, ISCR (Institut des Sciences Chimiques de Rennes)-UMR 6226, F-35000, Rennes, France.
| | - Hong Guo
- Center for the Physics of Materials and Department of Physics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H3A 2T8, Canada.
| | - Sheng Meng
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, PR China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, PR China.
| | - Xuefeng Guo
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, National Biomedical Imaging Center, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, 292 Chengfu Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100871, PR China.
- Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin, 300350, PR China.
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13
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Chen S, Su D, Jia C, Li Y, Li X, Guo X, Leigh DA, Zhang L. Real-time observation of the dynamics of an individual rotaxane molecular shuttle using a single-molecule junction. Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chempr.2021.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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14
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Guo Y, Yang C, Jia C, Guo X. Accurate Single-Molecule Indicator of Solvent Effects. JACS AU 2021; 1:2271-2279. [PMID: 34977898 PMCID: PMC8715489 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.1c00400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
The study of the microscopic structure of solvents is of significant importance for deciphering the essential solvation in chemical reactions and biological processes. Yet conventional technologies, such as neutron diffraction, have an inherent averaging effect as they analyze a group of molecules. In this study, we report a method to analyze the microstructure and interaction in solvents from a single-molecule perspective. A single-molecule electrical nanocircuit is used to directly analyze the dynamic microscopic structure of solvents. Through a single-molecule model reaction, the heterogeneity or homogeneity of solvents is precisely detected at the molecular level. Both the thermodynamics and the kinetics of the model reaction demonstrate the microscopic heterogeneity of alcohol-water and alcohol-n-hexane solutions and the microscopic homogeneity of alcohol-carbon tetrachloride solutions. In addition, a real-time event spectroscopy has been developed to study the dynamic characteristics of the segregated phase and the internal intermolecular interaction in microheterogeneous solvents. The development of such a unique high-resolution indicator with single-molecule and single-event accuracy provides infinite opportunities to decipher solvent effects in-depth and optimizes chemical reactions and biological processes in solution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yilin Guo
- State
Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species,
Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, National Biomedical
Imaging Center, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, P. R. China
| | - Chen Yang
- State
Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species,
Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, National Biomedical
Imaging Center, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, P. R. China
| | - Chuancheng Jia
- Center
of Single-Molecule Sciences, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic
Matter, Institute of Modern Optics, College of Electronic Information
and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, P. R. China
| | - Xuefeng Guo
- State
Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species,
Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, National Biomedical
Imaging Center, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, P. R. China
- Center
of Single-Molecule Sciences, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic
Matter, Institute of Modern Optics, College of Electronic Information
and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, P. R. China
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15
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Yang C, Zhang L, Lu C, Zhou S, Li X, Li Y, Yang Y, Li Y, Liu Z, Yang J, Houk KN, Mo F, Guo X. Unveiling the full reaction path of the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling in a single-molecule junction. NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY 2021; 16:1214-1223. [PMID: 34475558 DOI: 10.1038/s41565-021-00959-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Conventional analytic techniques that measure ensemble averages and static disorder provide essential knowledge of the reaction mechanisms of organic and organometallic reactions. However, single-molecule junctions enable the in situ, label-free and non-destructive sensing of molecular reaction processes at the single-event level with an excellent temporal resolution. Here we deciphered the mechanism of Pd-catalysed Suzuki-Miyaura coupling by means of a high-resolution single-molecule platform. Through molecular engineering, we covalently integrated a single molecule Pd catalyst into nanogapped graphene point electrodes. We detected sequential electrical signals that originated from oxidative addition/ligand exchange, pretransmetallation, transmetallation and reductive elimination in a periodic pattern. Our analysis shows that the transmetallation is the rate-determining step of the catalytic cycle and clarifies the controversial transmetallation mechanism. Furthermore, we determined the kinetic and thermodynamic constants of each elementary step and the overall catalytic timescale of this Suzuki-Miyaura coupling. Our work establishes the single-molecule platform as a detection technology for catalytic organochemistry that can monitor transition-metal-catalysed reactions in real time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Yang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Energy and Resources Engineering, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Chenxi Lu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Shuyao Zhou
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Xingxing Li
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, P. R. China
| | - Yanwei Li
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Environment Research Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao, P. R. China
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | - Yu Li
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Zhirong Liu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Jinlong Yang
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, P. R. China
| | - K N Houk
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Fanyang Mo
- Department of Energy and Resources Engineering, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, P. R. China.
| | - Xuefeng Guo
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, P. R. China.
- Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, P. R. China.
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16
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Tan Z, Liu J, Hong W. Visualization of the intermediates in organic catalytic reaction by single-molecule electrical spectroscopy. Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chempr.2021.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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17
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Fukuzumi R, Buerkle M, Li Y, Kaneko S, Li P, Kobayashi S, Fujii S, Kiguchi M, Nakamura H, Tsukagoshi K, Nishino T. Water Splitting Induced by Visible Light at a Copper-Based Single-Molecule Junction. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2021; 17:e2008109. [PMID: 34089231 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202008109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2020] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Water splitting is an essential process for converting light energy into easily storable energy in the form of hydrogen. As environmentally preferable catalysts, Cu-based materials have attracted attention as water-splitting catalysts. To enhance the efficiency of water splitting, a reaction process should be developed. Single-molecule junctions (SMJs) are attractive structures for developing these reactions because the molecule electronic state is significantly modulated, and characteristic electromagnetic effects can be expected. Here, water splitting is induced at Cu-based SMJ and the produced hydrogen is characterized at a single-molecule scale by employing electron transport measurements. After visible light irradiation, the conductance states originate from Cu/hydrogen molecule/Cu junctions, while before irradiation, only Cu/water molecule/Cu junctions were observed. The vibration spectra obtained from inelastic electron tunneling spectroscopy combined with the first-principles calculations reveal that the water molecule trapped between the Cu electrodes is decomposed and that hydrogen is produced. Time-dependent and wavelength-dependent measurements show that localized-surface plasmon decomposes the water molecule in the vicinity of the junction. These findings indicate the potential ability of Cu-based materials for photocatalysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Risa Fukuzumi
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 152-8551, Japan
| | - Marius Buerkle
- CD-FMat, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Central 2, Umezono 1-1-1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8568, Japan
| | - Yu Li
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 152-8551, Japan
| | - Satoshi Kaneko
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 152-8551, Japan
| | - Peihui Li
- Institute of Modern Optics, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin, 300350, P. R. China
| | - Shuji Kobayashi
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 152-8551, Japan
| | - Shintaro Fujii
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 152-8551, Japan
| | - Manabu Kiguchi
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 152-8551, Japan
| | - Hisao Nakamura
- CD-FMat, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Central 2, Umezono 1-1-1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8568, Japan
| | - Kazuhito Tsukagoshi
- International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (WPI-MANA), National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), 1-1 Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0044, Japan
| | - Tomoaki Nishino
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 152-8551, Japan
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18
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Meng L, Xin N, Wang J, Xu J, Ren S, Yan Z, Zhang M, Shen C, Zhang G, Guo X, Meng S. Atomically Precise Engineering of Single-Molecule Stereoelectronic Effect. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 60:12274-12278. [PMID: 33650169 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202100168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Charge transport in a single-molecule junction is extraordinarily sensitive to both the internal electronic structure of a molecule and its microscopic environment. Two distinct conductance states of a prototype terphenyl molecule are observed, which correspond to the bistability of outer phenyl rings at each end. An azobenzene unit is intentionally introduced through atomically precise side-functionalization at the central ring of the terphenyl, which is reversibly isomerized between trans and cis forms by either electric or optical stimuli. Both experiment and theory demonstrate that the azobenzene side-group delicately modulates charge transport in the backbone via a single-molecule stereoelectronic effect. We reveal that the dihedral angle between the central and outer phenyl ring, as well as the corresponding rotation barrier, is subtly controlled by isomerization, while the behaviors of the phenyl ring away from the azobenzene are hardly affected. This tunability offers a new route to precisely engineer multiconfigurational single-molecule memories, switches, and sensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linan Meng
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Na Xin
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, P. R. China
| | - Jinying Wang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, P. R. China
| | - Jiyu Xu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Shizhao Ren
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, P. R. China
| | - Zhuang Yan
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, P. R. China
| | - Miao Zhang
- Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin, 300350, P. R. China
| | - Cheng Shen
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Guangyu Zhang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Xuefeng Guo
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, P. R. China.,Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin, 300350, P. R. China
| | - Sheng Meng
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China.,Key Laboratory of Material Physics, School of Physics and Microelectronics, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, P. R. China
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19
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Meng L, Xin N, Wang J, Xu J, Ren S, Yan Z, Zhang M, Shen C, Zhang G, Guo X, Meng S. Atomically Precise Engineering of Single‐Molecule Stereoelectronic Effect. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202100168] [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)
- Linan Meng
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics Institute of Physics Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100190 P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100049 P. R. China
| | - Na Xin
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering Peking University Beijing 100871 P. R. China
| | - Jinying Wang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering Peking University Beijing 100871 P. R. China
| | - Jiyu Xu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics Institute of Physics Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100190 P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100049 P. R. China
| | - Shizhao Ren
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering Peking University Beijing 100871 P. R. China
| | - Zhuang Yan
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering Peking University Beijing 100871 P. R. China
| | - Miao Zhang
- Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering Nankai University 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District Tianjin 300350 P. R. China
| | - Cheng Shen
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics Institute of Physics Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100190 P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100049 P. R. China
| | - Guangyu Zhang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics Institute of Physics Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100190 P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100049 P. R. China
| | - Xuefeng Guo
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering Peking University Beijing 100871 P. R. China
- Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering Nankai University 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District Tianjin 300350 P. R. China
| | - Sheng Meng
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics Institute of Physics Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100190 P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100049 P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Material Physics School of Physics and Microelectronics Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou 450052 P. R. China
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20
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Zhou P, Zheng J, Han T, Chen L, Cao W, Zhu Y, Zhou D, Li R, Tian Y, Liu Z, Liu J, Hong W. Electrostatic gating of single-molecule junctions based on the STM-BJ technique. NANOSCALE 2021; 13:7600-7605. [PMID: 33928979 DOI: 10.1039/d1nr00157d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The gating of charge transport through single-molecule junctions is considered a critical step towards molecular circuits but remains challenging. In this work, we report an electrostatic gating method to tune the conductance of single-molecule junctions using the scanning tunneling microscope break junction (STM-BJ) technique incorporated with a back-gated chip as a substrate. We demonstrated that the conductance varied at different applied gating voltages (Vgs). The HOMO-dominated molecules show a decrease in conductance with an increase in Vg, and the LUMO-dominated molecules show the opposite trend. The measured conductance trends with Vg are consistent with the transition voltage spectroscopy measurements. Moreover, the transmission functions simulated from density functional theory (DFT) calculations and the finite element analysis all suggest that Vg changed the energy alignment of the molecular junction. This work provides a simple method for modulating the molecular orbitals' alignment relative to the Fermi energy (Ef) of metal electrodes to explore the charge transport properties at the single-molecule scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, iChEM, Xiamen University, 361005, Xiamen, China.
| | - Jueting Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, iChEM, Xiamen University, 361005, Xiamen, China.
| | - Tianyang Han
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, iChEM, Xiamen University, 361005, Xiamen, China.
| | - Lijue Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, iChEM, Xiamen University, 361005, Xiamen, China.
| | - Wenqiang Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, iChEM, Xiamen University, 361005, Xiamen, China.
| | - Yixuan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, iChEM, Xiamen University, 361005, Xiamen, China.
| | - Dahai Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, iChEM, Xiamen University, 361005, Xiamen, China.
| | - Ruihao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, iChEM, Xiamen University, 361005, Xiamen, China.
| | - Yingyu Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, iChEM, Xiamen University, 361005, Xiamen, China.
| | - Zitong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry (SKLAOC), College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Junyang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, iChEM, Xiamen University, 361005, Xiamen, China.
| | - Wenjing Hong
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, iChEM, Xiamen University, 361005, Xiamen, China.
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21
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Liu Z, Li X, Masai H, Huang X, Tsuda S, Terao J, Yang J, Guo X. A single-molecule electrical approach for amino acid detection and chirality recognition. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:eabe4365. [PMID: 33658198 PMCID: PMC7929498 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abe4365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
One of the ultimate goals of analytic chemistry is to efficiently discriminate between amino acids. Here we demonstrate this ability using a single-molecule electrical methodology based on molecular nanocircuits formed from stable graphene-molecule-graphene single-molecule junctions. These molecular junctions are fabricated by covalently bonding a molecular machine featuring a permethylated-β-cyclodextrin between a pair of graphene point contacts. Using pH to vary the type and charge of the amino acids, we find distinct multimodal current fluctuations originating from the different host-guest interactions, consistent with theoretical calculations. These conductance data produce characteristic dwell times and shuttling rates for each amino acid, and allow accurate, statistical real-time, in situ measurements. Testing four amino acids and their enantiomers shows the ability to distinguish between them within a few microseconds, thus paving a facile and precise way to amino acid identification and even single-molecule protein sequencing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zihao Liu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, P. R. China
| | - Xingxing Li
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physics Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, P. R. China
| | - Hiroshi Masai
- Department of Basic Science, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan
| | - Xinyi Huang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, P. R. China
| | - Susumu Tsuda
- Department of Chemistry, Osaka Dental University, Osaka 573-1121, Japan
| | - Jun Terao
- Department of Basic Science, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan.
| | - Jinlong Yang
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physics Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, P. R. China.
| | - Xuefeng Guo
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, P. R. China.
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, P. R. China
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22
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Ghasemi S, Moth-Poulsen K. Single molecule electronic devices with carbon-based materials: status and opportunity. NANOSCALE 2021; 13:659-671. [PMID: 33406181 DOI: 10.1039/d0nr07844a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The field of single molecule electronics has progressed remarkably in the past decades by allowing for more versatile molecular functions and improving device fabrication techniques. In particular, electrodes made from carbon-based materials such as graphene and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) may enable parallel fabrication of multiple single molecule devices. In this perspective, we review the recent progress in the field of single molecule electronics, with a focus on devices that utilizes carbon-based electrodes. The paper is structured in three main sections: (i) controlling the molecule/graphene electrode interface using covalent and non-covalent approaches, (ii) using CNTs as electrodes for fabricating single molecule devices, and (iii) a discussion of possible future directions employing new or emerging 2D materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shima Ghasemi
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, SE-412-96 Göteborg, Sweden.
| | - Kasper Moth-Poulsen
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, SE-412-96 Göteborg, Sweden.
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23
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Yang C, Liu Z, Li Y, Zhou S, Lu C, Guo Y, Ramirez M, Zhang Q, Li Y, Liu Z, Houk KN, Zhang D, Guo X. Electric field-catalyzed single-molecule Diels-Alder reaction dynamics. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:7/4/eabf0689. [PMID: 33523936 PMCID: PMC7817103 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abf0689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Precise time trajectories and detailed reaction pathways of the Diels-Alder reaction were directly observed using accurate single-molecule detection on an in situ label-free single-molecule electrical detection platform. This study demonstrates the well-accepted concerted mechanism and clarifies the role of charge transfer complexes with endo or exo configurations on the reaction path. An unprecedented stepwise pathway was verified at high temperatures in a high-voltage electric field. Experiments and theoretical results revealed an electric field-catalyzed mechanism that shows the presence of a zwitterionic intermediate with one bond formation and variation of concerted and stepwise reactions by the strength of the electric field, thus establishing a previously unidentified approach for mechanistic control by electric field catalysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Yang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, P. R. China
| | - Zitong Liu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
| | - Yanwei Li
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Environment Research Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, P. R. China
| | - Shuyao Zhou
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, P. R. China
| | - Chenxi Lu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Yilin Guo
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, P. R. China
| | - Melissa Ramirez
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Qingzhu Zhang
- Environment Research Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, P. R. China
| | - Yu Li
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, P. R. China
| | - Zhirong Liu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, P. R. China
| | - K N Houk
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
| | - Deqing Zhang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China.
| | - Xuefeng Guo
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, P. R. China.
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24
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Zhang Y, Gu Z, Zhao J, Shao L, Kan Y. Sequence-Specific Detection of DNA Strands Using a Solid-State Nanopore Assisted by Microbeads. MICROMACHINES 2020; 11:mi11121097. [PMID: 33322605 PMCID: PMC7763196 DOI: 10.3390/mi11121097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Simple, rapid, and low-cost detection of DNA with specific sequence is crucial for molecular diagnosis and therapy applications. In this research, the target DNA molecules are bonded to the streptavidin-coated microbeads, after hybridizing with biotinylated probes. A nanopore with a diameter significantly smaller than the microbeads is used to detect DNA molecules through the ionic pulse signals. Because the DNA molecules attached on the microbead should dissociate from the beads before completely passing through the pore, the signal duration time for the target DNA is two orders of magnitude longer than free DNA. Moreover, the high local concentration of target DNA molecules on the surface of microbeads leads to multiple DNA molecules translocating through the pore simultaneously, which generates pulse signals with amplitude much larger than single free DNA translocation events. Therefore, the DNA molecules with specific sequence can be easily identified by a nanopore sensor assisted by microbeads according to the ionic pulse signals.
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25
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Chen X, Yeoh YQ, He Y, Zhou C, Horsley JR, Abell AD, Yu J, Guo X. Unravelling Structural Dynamics within a Photoswitchable Single Peptide: A Step Towards Multimodal Bioinspired Nanodevices. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020; 59:22554-22562. [PMID: 32851761 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202004701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The majority of the protein structures have been elucidated under equilibrium conditions. The aim herein is to provide a better understanding of the dynamic behavior inherent to proteins by fabricating a label-free nanodevice comprising a single-peptide junction to measure real-time conductance, from which their structural dynamic behavior can be inferred. This device contains an azobenzene photoswitch for interconversion between a well-defined cis, and disordered trans isomer. Real-time conductance measurements revealed three distinct states for each isomer, with molecular dynamics simulations showing each state corresponds to a specific range of hydrogen bond lengths within the cis isomer, and specific dihedral angles in the trans isomer. These insights into the structural dynamic behavior of peptides may rationally extend to proteins. Also demonstrated is the capacity to modulate conductance which advances the design and development of bioinspired electronic nanodevices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinjiani Chen
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, P. R. China
| | - Yuan Qi Yeoh
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics (CNBP), Institute of Photonics and Advanced Sensing (IPAS), School of Physical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
| | - Yanbin He
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics (CNBP), Institute of Photonics and Advanced Sensing (IPAS), School of Physical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia.,Pharmaceutical Department, Changzhi Medical College, Changzhi, 046000, P. R. China
| | - Chenguang Zhou
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, P. R. China
| | - John R Horsley
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics (CNBP), Institute of Photonics and Advanced Sensing (IPAS), School of Physical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
| | - Andrew D Abell
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics (CNBP), Institute of Photonics and Advanced Sensing (IPAS), School of Physical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
| | - Jingxian Yu
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics (CNBP), Institute of Photonics and Advanced Sensing (IPAS), School of Physical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
| | - Xuefeng Guo
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, P. R. China.,Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, P. R. China
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26
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Chen X, Yeoh YQ, He Y, Zhou C, Horsley JR, Abell AD, Yu J, Guo X. Unravelling Structural Dynamics within a Photoswitchable Single Peptide: A Step Towards Multimodal Bioinspired Nanodevices. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202004701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Xinjiani Chen
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies Peking University Beijing 100871 P. R. China
| | - Yuan Qi Yeoh
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics (CNBP) Institute of Photonics and Advanced Sensing (IPAS) School of Physical Sciences The University of Adelaide North Terrace Adelaide SA 5005 Australia
| | - Yanbin He
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics (CNBP) Institute of Photonics and Advanced Sensing (IPAS) School of Physical Sciences The University of Adelaide North Terrace Adelaide SA 5005 Australia
- Pharmaceutical Department Changzhi Medical College Changzhi 046000 P. R. China
| | - Chenguang Zhou
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering Peking University Beijing 100871 P. R. China
| | - John R. Horsley
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics (CNBP) Institute of Photonics and Advanced Sensing (IPAS) School of Physical Sciences The University of Adelaide North Terrace Adelaide SA 5005 Australia
| | - Andrew D. Abell
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics (CNBP) Institute of Photonics and Advanced Sensing (IPAS) School of Physical Sciences The University of Adelaide North Terrace Adelaide SA 5005 Australia
| | - Jingxian Yu
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics (CNBP) Institute of Photonics and Advanced Sensing (IPAS) School of Physical Sciences The University of Adelaide North Terrace Adelaide SA 5005 Australia
| | - Xuefeng Guo
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies Peking University Beijing 100871 P. R. China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering Peking University Beijing 100871 P. R. China
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27
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Jia C, Grace IM, Wang P, Almeshal A, Huang Z, Wang Y, Chen P, Wang L, Zhou J, Feng Z, Zhao Z, Huang Y, Lambert CJ, Duan X. Redox Control of Charge Transport in Vertical Ferrocene Molecular Tunnel Junctions. Chem 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chempr.2020.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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28
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Chen H, Li Y, Chang S. Hybrid Molecular-Junction Mapping Technique for Simultaneous Measurements of Single-Molecule Electronic Conductance and Its Corresponding Binding Geometry in a Tunneling Junction. Anal Chem 2020; 92:6423-6429. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.9b05549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Haijian Chen
- The State Key Laboratory of Refractories and Metallurgy, The Institute of Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430081, P. R. China
| | - Yunchuan Li
- The State Key Laboratory of Refractories and Metallurgy, The Institute of Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430081, P. R. China
| | - Shuai Chang
- The State Key Laboratory of Refractories and Metallurgy, The Institute of Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430081, P. R. China
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29
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Yang C, Qin A, Tang BZ, Guo X. Fabrication and functions of graphene-molecule-graphene single-molecule junctions. J Chem Phys 2020; 152:120902. [PMID: 32241145 DOI: 10.1063/1.5144275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The past two decades have witnessed increasingly rapid advances in the field of single-molecule electronics, which are expected to overcome the limitation of the miniaturization of silicon-based microdevices, thus promoting the development of device manufacturing technologies and characterization means. In addition to this, they can enable us to investigate the intrinsic properties of materials at the atomic- or molecular-length scale and probe new phenomena that are inaccessible in ensemble experiments. In this perspective, we start from a brief introduction on the manufacturing method of graphene-molecule-graphene single-molecule junctions (GMG-SMJs). Then, we make a description on the remarkable functions of GMG-SMJs, especially on the investigation of single-molecule charge transport and dynamics. Finally, we conclude by discussing the main challenges and future research directions of molecular electronics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caiyao Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Luminescence from Molecular Aggregates, Center for Aggregation-Induced Emission, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Anjun Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Luminescence from Molecular Aggregates, Center for Aggregation-Induced Emission, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Ben Zhong Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Luminescence from Molecular Aggregates, Center for Aggregation-Induced Emission, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Xuefeng Guo
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
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30
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Li Y, Yang C, Guo X. Single-Molecule Electrical Detection: A Promising Route toward the Fundamental Limits of Chemistry and Life Science. Acc Chem Res 2020; 53:159-169. [PMID: 31545589 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.9b00347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The ultimate limit of analytical chemistry is single-molecule detection, which allows one to visualize the dynamic processes of chemical/biological interactions with single-molecule or single-event sensitivity and hence enables the study of stochastic fluctuations under equilibrium conditions and the observation of time trajectories and reaction pathways of individual species in nonequilibrated systems. In addition, such studies may also allow the direct observation of novel microscopic quantum effects and fundamental discoveries of underlying molecular mechanisms in organic reactions and biological processes that are not accessible in ensemble experiments, thus providing unique opportunities to solve the key problems of physical, chemical, and life sciences. Consequently, the field of single-molecule detection has received considerable attention and has witnessed tremendous advances in different directions in combination with other disciplines. This Account describes our ongoing work on the development of groundbreaking methods (termed "single-molecule electrical approaches") of translating the detailed processes of chemical reactions or biological functions into detectable electrical signals at the single-event level on the platform of single-molecule electronic devices, with a particular focus on graphene-molecule-graphene single-molecule junctions (GMG-SMJs) and silicon-nanowire-based single-molecule electrical nanocircuits. These nanocircuit-based architectures are complementary to conventional optical or mechanical techniques but exhibit obvious advantages such as the absence of problems associated with bleaching and fluorescent labeling. Dash-line lithography (DLL) is an efficient lithographic method of cutting graphene and forming carboxylic-acid-functionalized nanogapped graphene point contact arrays developed to address the formidable challenges of molecular device fabrication difficulty and poor stability. Molecules of interest terminated by amines on both ends can be covalently sandwiched between graphene point contacts to create high-throughput robust GMG-SMJs containing only one molecule as the conductive element. In conjunction with the ease of device fabrication and device stability, this feature distinguishes GMG-SMJs as a new testbed platform for single-molecule analysis characterized by high temporal resolution and superior signal-to-noise ratios. By exploiting the DLL method, we have fabricated molecular devices that are sensitive to external stimuli and are capable of transducing chemical/biochemical events into electrical signals at the single-molecule level, with notable examples including host-guest interaction, hydrogen bond dynamics, DNA intercalation, photoinduced conformational transition, carbocation formation, nucleophilic addition, and stereoelectronic effect. In addition to GMG-SMJs and considering compatibility with the silicon-based industry, we have also developed a reliable method of point-functionalizing silicon-nanowire-based nanotransistors to afford single-molecule electrical nanocircuits. This approach proved to be a robust platform for single-molecule electrical analysis capable of probing fast dynamic processes such as single-protein detection, DNA hybridization/polymorphism, and motor rotation dynamics. The above systematic investigations emphasize the importance and unique advantages of universal single-molecule electrical approaches for realizing direct, label-free, real-time electrical measurements of reaction dynamics with single-event sensitivity. These approaches promise a fascinating mainstream platform to explore the dynamics of stochastic processes in chemical/biological systems as well as gain information in fields ranging from reaction chemistry for elucidating the intrinsic mechanisms to genomics or proteomics for accurate molecular and even point-of-care clinical diagnoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Li
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, P. R. China
| | - Chen Yang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, P. R. China
| | - Xuefeng Guo
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, P. R. China
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31
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Side-group chemical gating via reversible optical and electric control in a single molecule transistor. Nat Commun 2019; 10:1450. [PMID: 30926785 PMCID: PMC6440973 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-09120-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2018] [Accepted: 02/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
By taking advantage of large changes in geometric and electronic structure during the reversible trans–cis isomerisation, azobenzene derivatives have been widely studied for potential applications in information processing and digital storage devices. Here we report an unusual discovery of unambiguous conductance switching upon light and electric field-induced isomerisation of azobenzene in a robust single-molecule electronic device for the first time. Both experimental and theoretical data consistently demonstrate that the azobenzene sidegroup serves as a viable chemical gate controlled by electric field, which efficiently modulates the energy difference of trans and cis forms as well as the energy barrier of isomerisation. In conjunction with photoinduced switching at low biases, these results afford a chemically-gateable, fully-reversible, two-mode, single-molecule transistor, offering a fresh perspective for creating future multifunctional single-molecule optoelectronic devices in a practical way. It remains a challenge to fully control molecular electronics. Here, Meng et al. show a reversible two-mode single-molecule switch, where the conductance through the molecular backbone is controlled by an in situ chemical gating via bias-dependent trans–cis isomerisation on an azobenzene sidegroup.
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