1
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Zheng X, Pei Q, Tan J, Bai S, Luo Y, Ye S. Local electric field in nanocavities dictates the vibrational relaxation dynamics of interfacial molecules. Chem Sci 2024; 15:11507-11514. [PMID: 39055024 PMCID: PMC11268483 DOI: 10.1039/d4sc02463j] [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: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Plasmonic nanocavities enable the generation of strong light-matter coupling and exhibit great potential in plasmon-mediated chemical reactions (PMCRs). Although an electric field generated by nanocavities (E n) has recently been reported, its effect on the vibrational energy relaxation (VER) of the molecules in the nanocavities has not been explored. In this study, we reveal the impact of an electric field sensed by molecules (para-substituted thiophenol derivatives) in a nanocavity (E f) on VER processes by employing advanced time-resolved femtosecond sum frequency generation vibrational spectroscopy (SFG-VS) supplemented by electrochemical measurements. The magnitude of E n is almost identical (1.0 ± 0.2 V nm-1) beyond the experimental deviation while E f varies from 0.3 V nm-1 to 1.7 V nm-1 depending on the substituent. An exponential correlation between E f and the complete recovery time of the ground vibrational C[double bond, length as m-dash]C state (T 2) of the phenyl ring is observed. Substances with a smaller T 2 are strongly correlated with the reported macroscopic chemical reactivity. This finding may aid in enriching the current understanding of PMCRs and highlights the possibility of regulating vibrational energy flow into desired reaction coordinates by using a local electric field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxuan Zheng
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Department of Chemical Physics, University of Science and Technology of China Hefei Anhui 230026 China
| | - Quanbing Pei
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Department of Chemical Physics, University of Science and Technology of China Hefei Anhui 230026 China
| | - Junjun Tan
- Hefei National Laboratory, University of Science and Technology of China Hefei Anhui 230088 China
| | - Shiyu Bai
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Department of Chemical Physics, University of Science and Technology of China Hefei Anhui 230026 China
| | - Yi Luo
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Department of Chemical Physics, University of Science and Technology of China Hefei Anhui 230026 China
- Hefei National Laboratory, University of Science and Technology of China Hefei Anhui 230088 China
| | - Shuji Ye
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Department of Chemical Physics, University of Science and Technology of China Hefei Anhui 230026 China
- Hefei National Laboratory, University of Science and Technology of China Hefei Anhui 230088 China
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2
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Amirtharaj S, Xie Z, Si Yu See J, Rolleri G, Malchow K, Chen W, Bouhelier A, Lörtscher E, Galland C. Light Emission and Conductance Fluctuations in Electrically Driven and Plasmonically Enhanced Molecular Junctions. ACS PHOTONICS 2024; 11:2388-2396. [PMID: 38911841 PMCID: PMC11191743 DOI: 10.1021/acsphotonics.4c00291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024]
Abstract
Electrically connected and plasmonically enhanced molecular junctions combine the optical functionalities of high field confinement and enhancement (cavity function), and of high radiative efficiency (antenna function) with the electrical functionalities of molecular transport. Such combined optical and electrical probes have proven useful for the fundamental understanding of metal-molecule contacts and contribute to the development of nanoscale optoelectronic devices including ultrafast electronics and nanosensors. Here, we employ a self-assembled metal-molecule-metal junction with a nanoparticle bridge to investigate correlated fluctuations in conductance and tunneling-induced light emission at room temperature. Despite the presence of hundreds of molecules in the junction, the electrical conductance and light emission are both highly sensitive to atomic-scale fluctuations-a phenomenology reminiscent of picocavities observed in Raman scattering and of luminescence blinking from photoexcited plasmonic junctions. Discrete steps in conductance associated with fluctuating emission intensities through the multiple plasmonic modes of the junction are consistent with a finite number of randomly localized, point-like sources dominating the optoelectronic response. Contrasting with these microscopic fluctuations, the overall plasmonic and electronic functionalities of our devices feature long-term survival at room temperature and under an electrical bias of a few volts, allowing for measurements over several months.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sakthi
Priya Amirtharaj
- Institute
of Physics, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale
de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Zhiyuan Xie
- Institute
of Physics, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale
de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Josephine Si Yu See
- Institute
of Physics, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale
de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Gabriele Rolleri
- Institute
of Physics, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale
de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Konstantin Malchow
- Institute
of Physics, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale
de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Wen Chen
- Institute
of Physics, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale
de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Alexandre Bouhelier
- Laboratoire
Interdisciplinaire Carnot de Bourgogne CNRS UMR 6303, Université de Bourgogne, 21000 Dijon, France
| | - Emanuel Lörtscher
- IBM
Research Europe—Zurich, Säumerstrasse 4, CH-8803 Rüschlikon, Switzerland
| | - Christophe Galland
- Institute
of Physics, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale
de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
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3
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Guo C, Benzie P, Hu S, de Nijs B, Miele E, Elliott E, Arul R, Benjamin H, Dziechciarczyk G, Rao RR, Ryan MP, Baumberg JJ. Extensive photochemical restructuring of molecule-metal surfaces under room light. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1928. [PMID: 38431651 PMCID: PMC10908804 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46125-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The molecule-metal interface is of paramount importance for many devices and processes, and directly involved in photocatalysis, molecular electronics, nanophotonics, and molecular (bio-)sensing. Here the photostability of this interface is shown to be sensitive even to room light levels for specific molecules and metals. Optical spectroscopy is used to track photoinduced migration of gold atoms when functionalised with different thiolated molecules that form uniform monolayers on Au. Nucleation and growth of characteristic surface metal nanostructures is observed from the light-driven adatoms. By watching the spectral shifts of optical modes from nanoparticles used to precoat these surfaces, we identify processes involved in the photo-migration mechanism and the chemical groups that facilitate it. This photosensitivity of the molecule-metal interface highlights the significance of optically induced surface reconstruction. In some catalytic contexts this can enhance activity, especially utilising atomically dispersed gold. Conversely, in electronic device applications such reconstructions introduce problematic aging effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenyang Guo
- Nanophotonics Centre, Department of Physics, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, England, UK
| | - Philip Benzie
- Nanophotonics Centre, Department of Physics, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, England, UK
- Cambridge Display Technology Ltd, Cardinal Way, Godmanchester, PE29 2XG, UK
| | - Shu Hu
- Nanophotonics Centre, Department of Physics, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, England, UK
| | - Bart de Nijs
- Nanophotonics Centre, Department of Physics, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, England, UK
| | - Ermanno Miele
- Nanophotonics Centre, Department of Physics, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, England, UK
| | - Eoin Elliott
- Nanophotonics Centre, Department of Physics, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, England, UK
| | - Rakesh Arul
- Nanophotonics Centre, Department of Physics, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, England, UK
| | - Helen Benjamin
- Cambridge Display Technology Ltd, Cardinal Way, Godmanchester, PE29 2XG, UK
| | | | - Reshma R Rao
- Department of Materials, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Mary P Ryan
- Department of Materials, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Jeremy J Baumberg
- Nanophotonics Centre, Department of Physics, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, England, UK.
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4
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Bagnall AJ, Ganguli S, Sekretareva A. Hot or Not? Reassessing Mechanisms of Photocurrent Generation in Plasmon-Enhanced Electrocatalysis. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202314352. [PMID: 38009712 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202314352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
It is now widely accepted that certain effects arising from localised surface plasmon resonance, such as enhanced electromagnetic fields, hot carriers, and thermal effects, can facilitate electrocatalytic processes. This newly emerging field of research is commonly referred to as plasmon-enhanced electrocatalysis (PEEC) and is attracting increasing interest from the research community, particularly regarding harnessing the high energy of hot carriers. However, this has led to a lack of critical analysis in the literature, where the participation of hot carriers is routinely claimed due to their perceived desirability, while the contribution of other effects is often not sufficiently investigated. As a result, correctly differentiating between the possible mechanisms at play has become a key point of contention. In this review, we specifically focus on the mechanisms behind photocurrents observed in PEEC and critically evaluate the possibility of alternative sources of current enhancement in the reported PEEC systems. Furthermore, we present guidelines for the best experimental practices and methods to distinguish between the various enhancement mechanisms in PEEC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J Bagnall
- Department of Chemistry, Ångström, Uppsala University, 75120, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sagar Ganguli
- Department of Chemistry, Ångström, Uppsala University, 75120, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Alina Sekretareva
- Department of Chemistry, Ångström, Uppsala University, 75120, Uppsala, Sweden
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5
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Huang J, Hu S, Kos D, Xiong Y, Jakob LA, Sánchez-Iglesias A, Guo C, Liz-Marzán LM, Baumberg JJ. Enhanced Photocurrent and Electrically Pumped Quantum Dot Emission from Single Plasmonic Nanoantennas. ACS NANO 2024; 18:3323-3330. [PMID: 38215048 PMCID: PMC10832344 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c10092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
Integrating cavity-enhanced colloidal quantum dots (QDs) into photonic chip devices would be transformative for advancing room-temperature optoelectronic and quantum photonic technologies. However, issues with efficiency, stability, and cost remain formidable challenges to reach the single antenna limit. Here, we present a bottom-up approach that delivers single QD-plasmonic nanoantennas with electrical addressability. These QD nanojunctions exhibit robust photoresponse characteristics, with plasmonically enhanced photocurrent spectra matching the QD solution absorption. We demonstrate electroluminescence from individual plasmonic nanoantennas, extending the device lifetime beyond 40 min by utilizing a 3 nm electron-blocking polymer layer. In addition, we reveal a giant voltage-dependent redshift of up to 62 meV due to the quantum-confined Stark effect and determine the exciton polarizability of the CdSe QD monolayer to be 4 × 10-5 meV/(kV/cm)2. These developments provide a foundation for accessing scalable quantum light sources and high-speed, tunable optoelectronic systems operating under ambient conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junyang Huang
- NanoPhotonics
Centre, Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, JJ Thompson Avenue, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, U.K.
| | - Shu Hu
- NanoPhotonics
Centre, Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, JJ Thompson Avenue, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, U.K.
| | - Dean Kos
- NanoPhotonics
Centre, Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, JJ Thompson Avenue, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, U.K.
| | - Yuling Xiong
- NanoPhotonics
Centre, Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, JJ Thompson Avenue, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, U.K.
| | - Lukas A. Jakob
- NanoPhotonics
Centre, Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, JJ Thompson Avenue, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, U.K.
| | - Ana Sánchez-Iglesias
- CIC
biomaGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Paseo de Miramón 194, Donostia-San Sebastián 20014, Spain
| | - Chenyang Guo
- NanoPhotonics
Centre, Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, JJ Thompson Avenue, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, U.K.
| | - Luis M. Liz-Marzán
- CIC
biomaGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Paseo de Miramón 194, Donostia-San Sebastián 20014, Spain
- Ikerbasque,
Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao 43009, Spain
| | - Jeremy J. Baumberg
- NanoPhotonics
Centre, Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, JJ Thompson Avenue, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, U.K.
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6
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Liu H, Chen L, Zhang H, Yang Z, Ye J, Zhou P, Fang C, Xu W, Shi J, Liu J, Yang Y, Hong W. Single-molecule photoelectron tunnelling spectroscopy. NATURE MATERIALS 2023; 22:1007-1012. [PMID: 37349394 DOI: 10.1038/s41563-023-01591-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
Experimental mapping of transmission is essential for understanding and controlling charge transport through molecular devices and materials. Here we developed a single-molecule photoelectron tunnelling spectroscopy approach for mapping transmission beyond the HOMO-LUMO gap of the single diketopyrrolopyrrole molecule junction using an ultrafast-laser combined scanning tunnelling microscope-based break junction set-up at room temperature. Two resonant transport channels of ultrafast photocurrent are found by our photoelectron tunnelling spectroscopy, ranging from 1.31 eV to 1.77 eV, consistent with the LUMO + 1 and LUMO + 2 in the transmission spectrum obtained by density functional theory calculations. Moreover, we observed the modulation of resonant peaks by varying bias voltages, which demonstrates the ability to quantitatively characterize the effect of the electric field on frontier molecular orbitals. Our single-molecule photoelectron tunnelling spectroscopy offers an avenue that allows us to explore the nature of energy-dependent charge transport through single-molecule junctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haojie 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
| | - 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
| | - Hao 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
| | - Zhangqiang 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
| | - Jingyao Ye
- 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
| | - Ping 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
| | - Chao Fang
- 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
| | - 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
| | - Ye 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
| | - 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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7
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Lu B, Vegso K, Micky S, Ritz C, Bodik M, Fedoryshyn YM, Siffalovic P, Stemmer A. Tunable Subnanometer Gaps in Self-Assembled Monolayer Gold Nanoparticle Superlattices Enabling Strong Plasmonic Field Confinement. ACS NANO 2023. [PMID: 37354449 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c03804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
Nanoparticle superlattices produced with controllable interparticle gap distances down to the subnanometer range are of superior significance for applications in electronic and plasmonic devices as well as in optical metasurfaces. In this work, a method to fabricate large-area (∼1 cm2) gold nanoparticle (GNP) superlattices with a typical size of single domains at several micrometers and high-density nanogaps of tunable distances (from 2.3 to 0.1 nm) as well as variable constituents (from organothiols to inorganic S2-) is demonstrated. Our approach is based on the combination of interfacial nanoparticle self-assembly, subphase exchange, and free-floating ligand exchange. Electrical transport measurements on our GNP superlattices reveal variations in the nanogap conductance of more than 6 orders of magnitude. Meanwhile, nanoscopic modifications in the surface potential landscape of active GNP devices have been observed following engineered nanogaps. In situ optical reflectance measurements during free-floating ligand exchange show a gradual enhancement of plasmonic capacitive coupling with a diminishing average interparticle gap distance down to 0.1 nm, as continuously red-shifted localized surface plasmon resonances with increasing intensity have been observed. Optical metasurfaces consisting of such GNP superlattices exhibit tunable effective refractive index over a broad wavelength range. Maximal real part of the effective refractive index, nmax, reaching 5.4 is obtained as a result of the extreme field confinement in the high-density subnanometer plasmonic gaps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Lu
- Nanotechnology Group, ETH Zürich, Säumerstasse 4, CH-8803 Rüschlikon, Switzerland
| | - Karol Vegso
- Institute of Physics SAS, Dubravska cesta 9, 84511 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Simon Micky
- Institute of Physics SAS, Dubravska cesta 9, 84511 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Christian Ritz
- Nanotechnology Group, ETH Zürich, Säumerstasse 4, CH-8803 Rüschlikon, Switzerland
| | - Michal Bodik
- Nanotechnology Group, ETH Zürich, Säumerstasse 4, CH-8803 Rüschlikon, Switzerland
| | | | - Peter Siffalovic
- Institute of Physics SAS, Dubravska cesta 9, 84511 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Andreas Stemmer
- Nanotechnology Group, ETH Zürich, Säumerstasse 4, CH-8803 Rüschlikon, Switzerland
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8
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Li T, Bandari VK, Schmidt OG. Molecular Electronics: Creating and Bridging Molecular Junctions and Promoting Its Commercialization. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2209088. [PMID: 36512432 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202209088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Molecular electronics is driven by the dream of expanding Moore's law to the molecular level for next-generation electronics through incorporating individual or ensemble molecules into electronic circuits. For nearly 50 years, numerous efforts have been made to explore the intrinsic properties of molecules and develop diverse fascinating molecular electronic devices with the desired functionalities. The flourishing of molecular electronics is inseparable from the development of various elegant methodologies for creating nanogap electrodes and bridging the nanogap with molecules. This review first focuses on the techniques for making lateral and vertical nanogap electrodes by breaking, narrowing, and fixed modes, and highlights their capabilities, applications, merits, and shortcomings. After summarizing the approaches of growing single molecules or molecular layers on the electrodes, the methods of constructing a complete molecular circuit are comprehensively grouped into three categories: 1) directly bridging one-molecule-electrode component with another electrode, 2) physically bridging two-molecule-electrode components, and 3) chemically bridging two-molecule-electrode components. Finally, the current state of molecular circuit integration and commercialization is discussed and perspectives are provided, hoping to encourage the community to accelerate the realization of fully scalable molecular electronics for a new era of integrated microsystems and applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianming Li
- Research Center for Materials, Architectures and Integration of Nanomembranes (MAIN), Chemnitz University of Technology, 09126, Chemnitz, Germany
- Material Systems for Nanoelectronics, Chemnitz University of Technology, 09111, Chemnitz, Germany
| | - Vineeth Kumar Bandari
- Research Center for Materials, Architectures and Integration of Nanomembranes (MAIN), Chemnitz University of Technology, 09126, Chemnitz, Germany
- Material Systems for Nanoelectronics, Chemnitz University of Technology, 09111, Chemnitz, Germany
| | - Oliver G Schmidt
- Research Center for Materials, Architectures and Integration of Nanomembranes (MAIN), Chemnitz University of Technology, 09126, Chemnitz, Germany
- Material Systems for Nanoelectronics, Chemnitz University of Technology, 09111, Chemnitz, Germany
- Nanophysics, Dresden University of Technology, 01069, Dresden, Germany
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9
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El-Khoury PZ. Tip-Enhanced Raman Chemical and Chemical Reaction Imaging in H 2O with Sub-3-nm Spatial Resolution. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:6639-6642. [PMID: 36919918 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c01626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
Reproducible chemical and chemical reaction nanoimaging at solid-liquid interfaces remains challenging, particularly when resolutions on the order of a few nanometers are sought. In this work, we demonstrate the latter through liquid-tip-enhanced Raman (TER) measurements that target gold nanoplates functionalized with 4-mercaptobenzonitrile (MBN). In addition to chemical imaging and local optical field nanovisualization with high spatial resolution, we observe the signatures of 4-mercaptobenzoic acid, which forms as a result of plasmon-induced hydrolysis of MBN. Evidently, the solvent leads to distinct plasmon-induced/enhanced chemical reaction pathways that have not been documented. This work shows that such reactions that take place at solid-liquid interfaces can be tracked with a record sub-3-nm spatial resolution via TER spectral nanoimaging in liquids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Z El-Khoury
- Physical Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, Richland, Washington 99352, United States
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10
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Tang Y, Harutyunyan H. Optical properties of plasmonic tunneling junctions. J Chem Phys 2023; 158:060901. [PMID: 36792491 DOI: 10.1063/5.0128822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the last century, quantum theories have revolutionized our understanding of material properties. One of the most striking quantum phenomena occurring in heterogeneous media is the quantum tunneling effect, where carriers can tunnel through potential barriers even if the barrier height exceeds the carrier energy. Interestingly, the tunneling process can be accompanied by the absorption or emission of light. In most tunneling junctions made of noble metal electrodes, these optical phenomena are governed by plasmonic modes, i.e., light-driven collective oscillations of surface electrons. In the emission process, plasmon excitation via inelastic tunneling electrons can improve the efficiency of photon generation, resulting in bright nanoscale optical sources. On the other hand, the incident light can affect the tunneling behavior of plasmonic junctions as well, leading to phenomena such as optical rectification and induced photocurrent. Thus, plasmonic tunneling junctions provide a rich platform for investigating light-matter interactions, paving the way for various applications, including nanoscale light sources, sensors, and chemical reactors. In this paper, we will introduce recent research progress and promising applications based on plasmonic tunneling junctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuankai Tang
- Department of Physics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA
| | - Hayk Harutyunyan
- Department of Physics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA
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11
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Pagnotto D, Muravitskaya A, Benoit DM, Bouillard JSG, Adawi AM. Stark Effect Control
of the Scattering Properties
of Plasmonic Nanogaps Containing an Organic Semiconductor. ACS APPLIED OPTICAL MATERIALS 2022; 1:500-506. [PMCID: PMC9903362 DOI: 10.1021/acsaom.2c00135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
The development of actively tunable plasmonic nanostructures enables real-time reconfigurable and on-demand enhancement of optical signals. This is an essential requirement for a wide range of applications such as sensing and nanophotonic devices, for which electrically driven tunability is required. By modifying the transition energies of a material via the application of an electric field, the Stark effect offers a reliable and practical approach to achieve such tunability. In this work, we report on the use of the Stark effect to control the scattering response of a plasmonic nanogap formed between a silver nanoparticle and an extended silver film separated by a thin layer of the organic semiconductor PQT-12. The plasmonic response of such nanoscattering sources follows the quadratic Stark shift. In addition, our approach allows one to experimentally determine the polarizability of the semiconductor material embedded in the nanogap region, offering a new approach to probe the excitonic properties of extremely thin semiconducting materials such as 2D materials under applied external electric field with nanoscale resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donatello Pagnotto
- Department
of Physics and Mathematics, University of
Hull, Cottingham Road, HullHU6 7RX, United Kingdom
| | - Alina Muravitskaya
- Department
of Physics and Mathematics, University of
Hull, Cottingham Road, HullHU6 7RX, United Kingdom
| | - David M. Benoit
- Department
of Physics and Mathematics, University of
Hull, Cottingham Road, HullHU6 7RX, United Kingdom
| | - Jean-Sebastien G. Bouillard
- Department
of Physics and Mathematics, University of
Hull, Cottingham Road, HullHU6 7RX, United Kingdom
- G.
W. Gray Centre for Advanced Materials, University
of Hull, Cottingham Road, HullHU6 7RX, United Kingdom
| | - Ali M. Adawi
- Department
of Physics and Mathematics, University of
Hull, Cottingham Road, HullHU6 7RX, United Kingdom
- G.
W. Gray Centre for Advanced Materials, University
of Hull, Cottingham Road, HullHU6 7RX, United Kingdom
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Plasmonic phenomena in molecular junctions: principles and applications. Nat Rev Chem 2022; 6:681-704. [PMID: 37117494 DOI: 10.1038/s41570-022-00423-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Molecular junctions are building blocks for constructing future nanoelectronic devices that enable the investigation of a broad range of electronic transport properties within nanoscale regions. Crossing both the nanoscopic and mesoscopic length scales, plasmonics lies at the intersection of the macroscopic photonics and nanoelectronics, owing to their capability of confining light to dimensions far below the diffraction limit. Research activities on plasmonic phenomena in molecular electronics started around 2010, and feedback between plasmons and molecular junctions has increased over the past years. These efforts can provide new insights into the near-field interaction and the corresponding tunability in properties, as well as resultant plasmon-based molecular devices. This Review presents the latest advancements of plasmonic resonances in molecular junctions and details the progress in plasmon excitation and plasmon coupling. We also highlight emerging experimental approaches to unravel the mechanisms behind the various types of light-matter interactions at molecular length scales, where quantum effects come into play. Finally, we discuss the potential of these plasmonic-electronic hybrid systems across various future applications, including sensing, photocatalysis, molecular trapping and active control of molecular switches.
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Zhang L, Wang X, Chen H, Liu C, Deng S. A planar plasmonic nano-gap and its array for enhancing light-matter interactions at the nanoscale. NANOSCALE 2022; 14:12257-12264. [PMID: 35968906 DOI: 10.1039/d2nr01282k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Gap surface plasmon (GSP) modes, the localized electromagnetic modes existing between two metal structures separated by a nano-gap, are able to support subwavelength confinement and enhancement of a light field upon resonance excitation. Such features can greatly facilitate various light-matter interactions at the nanoscale. Here, we demonstrate a planar nano-gap architecture existing between a pair of tip-shaped gold pads. The nano-gap gives rise to plasmon resonances with strong light confinement close to the tip surfaces in the visible to near-infrared spectral region. Accordingly, we showed that the plasmonic gold nano-gap can exhibit strong intrinsic second-harmonic generation (SHG) and significantly enhance the Raman scattering signal from small molecules. Furthermore, by arranging the nano-gap into arrays, a stronger SHG signal can be obtained. In addition, the surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) activity is also improved by two orders of magnitude compared to that of a single nano-gap. Overall, the findings in our study have demonstrated the potential applications of a plasmonic nano-gap and its arrays for signal generation and sensitive chemical sensing at the nanoscale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials and Technologies, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Display Material and Technology, School of Electronics and Information Technology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China.
| | - Ximiao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials and Technologies, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Display Material and Technology, School of Electronics and Information Technology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China.
| | - Huanjun Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials and Technologies, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Display Material and Technology, School of Electronics and Information Technology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China.
| | - Chuan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials and Technologies, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Display Material and Technology, School of Electronics and Information Technology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China.
| | - Shaozhi Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials and Technologies, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Display Material and Technology, School of Electronics and Information Technology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China.
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Abstract
Picocavities are sub-nanometer-scale optical cavities recently found to trap light, which are formed by single-atom defects on metallic facets. Here, we develop simple picocavity models and discuss what is known and unknown about this new domain of atom-scale optics, as well as the challenges for developing comprehensive theories. We provide simple analytic expressions for many of their key properties and discuss a range of applications from molecular electronics to photocatalysis where picocavities are important.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy J. Baumberg
- Nanophotonics
Centre, Cavendish Laboratory, University
of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom
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Feng N, Li C, Shen J, Hu Y, Fodjo EK, Zhang L, Chen S, Fan Q, Wang L. 1,4-Benzenedithiol-Bridged Nanogap-Based Individual Particle Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Mechanical Probe for Revealing the Endocytic Force. ACS NANO 2022; 16:6605-6614. [PMID: 35420023 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c00995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
1,4-Benzenedithiol (BDT)-bridged core-satellite assemblies, as surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) mechanical probes, can be employed for real-time monitoring of the dynamics of endocytic forces and the accompanying trajectory of nanoparticles during the endocytosis process. These mechanical probes exhibit good responses in terms of SERS intensity ratios while undergoing mechanical pressure. Force tracing and the accompanying trajectory of nanoparticles are resolved accurately to render the endocytosis process in live cells. Density functional theory simulation results further proved the sensing scheme due to the electrons transforming between BDT and gold nanoparticles. Furthermore, this SERS mechanical probe is a valid method to visualize endocytic forces at multiple locations and establish a direct criterion to discriminate between cancer cells and normal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Electronics and Information Displays & Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM), Nanjing University of Posts & Telecommunications, 9 Wenyuan Road, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Chang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Electronics and Information Displays & Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM), Nanjing University of Posts & Telecommunications, 9 Wenyuan Road, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jingjing Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Electronics and Information Displays & Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM), Nanjing University of Posts & Telecommunications, 9 Wenyuan Road, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yanling Hu
- School of Electrical and Control, Nanjing Polytechnic Institute, 188 Xinle Road, Nanjing 211500, China
| | - Essy Kouadio Fodjo
- Laboratory of Constitution and Reaction of Matter, University of Felix Houphouet-Boigny, 22 BP 582 Abidjan 22, Cote d'Ivoire
| | - Lei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Electronics and Information Displays & Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM), Nanjing University of Posts & Telecommunications, 9 Wenyuan Road, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Shufen Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Electronics and Information Displays & Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM), Nanjing University of Posts & Telecommunications, 9 Wenyuan Road, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Quli Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Electronics and Information Displays & Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM), Nanjing University of Posts & Telecommunications, 9 Wenyuan Road, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Lianhui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Electronics and Information Displays & Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM), Nanjing University of Posts & Telecommunications, 9 Wenyuan Road, Nanjing 210023, China
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