Electron Transfer through Molecules and Assemblies at Electrode Surfaces

Tuning charge transport by manipulating concentration dependent single-molecule absorption configurations

Understanding and tuning charge transport in molecular junctions is pivotal for crafting molecular devices with tailored functionalities. Here, we report a novel approach to manipulate the absorption configuration within a 4,4'-bipyridine (4,4'-BPY) molecular junction, utilizing the scanning tunneling microscope break junction technique in a concentration-dependent manner. Single-molecule conductance measurements demonstrate that the molecular junctions exhibit a significant concentration dependence, with a transition from high conductance (HC) to low conductance (LC) states as the concentration decreases. Moreover, we identified an additional conductance state in the molecular junctions besides already known HC and LC states. Flicker noise analysis and theoretical calculations provided valuable insights into the underlying charge transport mechanisms and single-molecule absorption configurations concerning varying concentrations. These findings contribute to a fundamental comprehension of charge transport in concentration-dependent molecular junctions. Furthermore, they offer promising prospects for controlling single-molecule adsorption configurations, thereby paving the way for future molecular devices.

Single-molecule conductance studies on quasi- and metallaaromatic dibenzoylmethane coordination compounds and their aromatic analogs

The ability to predict the conductive behaviour of molecules, connected to macroscopic electrodes, represents a crucial prerequisite for the design of nanoscale electronic devices. In this work, we investigate whether the notion of a negative relation between conductance and aromaticity (the so-called NRCA rule) also pertains to quasi-aromatic and metallaaromatic chelates derived from dibenzoylmethane (DBM) and Lewis acids (LAs) that either do or do not contribute two extra d_π electrons to the central resonance-stabilised β-ketoenolate binding pocket. We therefore synthesised a family of methylthio-functionalised DBM coordination compounds and subjected them, along with their truly aromatic terphenyl and 4,6-diphenylpyrimidine congeners, to scanning tunneling microscope break-junction (STM-BJ) experiments on gold nanoelectrodes. All molecules share the common motif of three π-conjugated, six-membered, planar rings with a meta-configuration at the central ring. According to our results, their molecular conductances fall within a factor of ca. 9 in an ordering aromatic < metallaaromatic < quasi-aromatic. The experimental trends are rationalised by quantum transport calculations based on density functional theory (DFT).

Immobilizing a π-Conjugated Catecholato Framework on Surfaces of SiO2 Insulator Films via a One-Atom Anchor of a Platinum Metal Center to Modulate Organic Transistor Performance

Chemical modification of insulating material surfaces is an important methodology to improve the performance of organic field-effect transistors (OFETs). However, few redox-active self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) have been constructed on gate insulator film surfaces, in contrast to the numerous SAMs formed on many types of conducting electrodes. In this study, we report a new approach to introduce a π-conjugated organic fragment in close proximity to an insulating material surface via a transition metal center acting as a one-atom anchor. On the basis of the reported coordination chemistry of a catecholato complex of Pt(II) in solution, we demonstrate that ligand exchange can occur on an insulating material surface, affording SAMs on the SiO₂ surface derived from a newly synthesized Pt(II) complex containing a benzothienobenzothiophene (BTBT) framework in the catecholato ligand. The resultant SAMs were characterized in detail by water contact angle measurements, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. The SAMs served as good scaffolds of π-conjugated pillars for forming thin films of a well-known organic semiconductor C8-BTBT (2,7-dioctyl[1]benzothieno[3,2-b][1]benzothiophene), accompanied by the engagements of the C8-BTBT molecules with the SAMs containing the common BTBT framework at the first layer on SiO₂. OFETs containing the SAMs displayed improved performance in terms of hole mobility and onset voltage, presumably because of the unique interfacial structure between the organic semiconducting and inorganic insulating layers. These findings provide important insight into creating new elaborate interfaces through installing coordination chemistry in solution to solid surfaces, as well as OFET design by considering the compatibility between SAMs and organic semiconductors.

Ferrocene on Insulator: Silane Coupling to a SiO2 Surface and Influence on Electrical Transport at a Buried Interface with an Organic Semiconductor Layer

A silane coupling-based procedure for decoration of an insulator surface containing abundant hydroxy groups by constructing redox-active self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) is described. A newly synthesized ferrocene (Fc) derivative containing a triethoxysilyl group designated FcSi was immobilized on SiO₂/Si by a simple operation that involved immersing the substrate in a toluene solution of the Fc silane coupling reagent and then rinsing the resulting substrate. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements confirmed that the Fc group was immobilized on SiO₂/Si in the Fe(II) state. Cyclic voltammetry measurements showed that the Fc groups were electrically insulated from the Si electrode by the SiO₂ layer. The FcSi on SiO₂/Si structures were found to serve as a good scaffold for formation of organic semiconductor thin films by vacuum thermal evaporation of C8-BTBT (2,7-dioctyl[1]benzothieno[3,2-b][1]benzothiophene), which is well-known as an organic field-effect transistor (OFET) material. The X-ray diffraction profile indicated that the conventional standing-up conformation of the C8-BTBT molecules perpendicular to the substrates was maintained in the thin films formed on FcSi@SiO₂/Si. Further vacuum thermal evaporation of Au provided an FcSi-based OFET structure with good transfer characteristics. The FcSi-based OFET showed pronounced source-drain current hysteresis between the forward and backward scans. The degree of this hysteresis was varied reversibly via gate bias manipulation, which was presumably accompanied by trapping and detrapping of hole carriers at the Fc-decorated SiO₂ surface. These findings provide new insights into application of redox-active SAMs to nonvolatile OFET memories while also creating new interfaces through junctions with functional thin films, in which the underlying redox-active SAMs play supporting roles.

Controlling Contact Configuration of Carboxylic Acid-Based Molecular Junctions Through Side Group

In this paper, the contact configuration of single molecular junction is controlled through side group, which is explored by electrochemical jump-to-contact STM break junction. The conductance values of 2-methoxy-1,3-benzenedicarboxylic acid (2-M-1,3-BDC) is around 10-3.65 G0, which is different from that of 5-methoxy-1,3-benzenedicarboxylic acid (5-M-1,3-BDC) with 10-3.20 G0. Interestingly, the conductance value of 2-M-1,3-BDC is the same as that of 1,3-benzenedicarboxaldehyde (1,3-BDCA), while single molecular junctions of 5-M-1,3-BDC and 1,3-benzenedicarboxylic acid (1,3-BDC) give out similar conductance value. Since 1,3-BDCA binds to the Cu electrode through one oxygen atom, the dominated contact configuration for 1,3-BDC is through two oxygen atoms. The different conductance values between 2-M-1,3-BDC and 5-M-1,3-BDC can be attributed to the different contact configurations caused by the position of the side group. The current work provides a feasible way to control the contact configuration between the anchoring group and the electrode, which may be useful in designing future molecular electronics.

Molecular architecture for DNA wiring

Detection of the hybridisation events is of great importance in many different biotechnology applications such as diagnosis, computing, molecular bioelectronics, and among others. However, one important drawback is the low current of some redox reporters that limits their application. This paper demonstrates the powerful features of molecular wires, in particular the case of S-[4-[2-[4-(2-Phenylethynyl)phenyl]ethynyl]phenyl] thiol molecule and the key role that play the nanometric design of the capture probe linkers to achieve an efficient couple of the DNA complementary ferrocene label with the molecular wire for an effective electron transfer in co-immobilised self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) for DNA hybridisation detection. In this article, the length of the linker capture probe was studied for electron transfer enhancement from the ferrocene-motifs of immobilised molecules towards the electrode surface to obtain higher kinetics in the presence of thiolated molecular wires. The use of the right couple of capture probe linker and molecular wire has found to be beneficial as it helps to amplify eightfold the signal obtained.

High-Yield Functional Molecular Electronic Devices

An ultimate goal of molecular electronics, which seeks to incorporate molecular components into electronic circuit units, is to generate functional molecular electronic devices using individual or ensemble molecules to fulfill the increasing technical demands of the miniaturization of traditional silicon-based electronics. This review article presents a summary of recent efforts to pursue this ultimate aim, covering the development of reliable device platforms for high-yield ensemble molecular junctions and their utilization in functional molecular electronic devices, in which distinctive electronic functionalities are observed due to the functional molecules. In addition, other aspects pertaining to the practical application of molecular devices such as manufacturing compatibility with existing complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor technology, their integration, and flexible device applications are also discussed. These advances may contribute to a deeper understanding of charge transport characteristics through functional molecular junctions and provide a desirable roadmap for future practical molecular electronics applications.

Chemical modification of gold electrodes via non-covalent interactions

Chemically modifying electrode surfaces with redox active molecular complexes is an effective route to fabricating tailored functional materials.

Carbon Electrode-Molecule Junctions: A Reliable Platform for Molecular Electronics

The development of reliable approaches to integrate individual or a small collection of molecules into electrical nanocircuits, often termed "molecular electronics", is currently a research focus because it can not only overcome the increasing difficulties and fundamental limitations of miniaturization of current silicon-based electronic devices, but can also enable us to probe and understand the intrinsic properties of materials at the atomic- and/or molecular-length scale. This development might also lead to direct observation of novel effects and fundamental discovery of physical phenomena that are not accessible by traditional materials or approaches. Therefore, researchers from a variety of backgrounds have been devoting great effort to this objective, which has started to move beyond simple descriptions of charge transport and branch out in different directions, reflecting the interdisciplinarity. This Account exemplifies our ongoing interest and great effort in developing efficient lithographic methodologies capable of creating molecular electronic devices through the combination of top-down micro/nanofabrication with bottom-up molecular assembly. These devices use nanogapped carbon nanomaterials (such as single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and graphene), with a particular focus on graphene, as point contacts formed by electron beam lithography and precise oxygen plasma etching. Through robust amide linkages, functional molecular bridges terminated with diamine moieties are covalently wired into the carboxylic acid-functionalized nanogaps to form stable carbon electrode-molecule junctions with desired functionalities. At the macroscopic level, to improve the contact interface between electrodes and organic semiconductors and lower Schottky barriers, we used SWCNTs and graphene as efficient electrodes to explore the intrinsic properties of organic thin films, and then build functional high-performance organic nanotransistors with ultrahigh responsivities. At the molecular level, to form robust covalent bonds between electrodes and molecules and improve device stability, we developed a reliable system to immobilize individual molecules within a nanoscale gap of either SWCNTs or graphene through covalent amide bond formation, thus affording two classes of carbon electrode-molecule single-molecule junctions. One unique feature of these devices is the fact that they contain only one or two molecules as conductive elements, thus forming the basis for building new classes of chemo/biosensors with ultrahigh sensitivity. We have used these approaches to reveal the dependence of the charge transport of individual metallo-DNA duplexes on π-stacking integrity, and fabricate molecular devices capable of realizing label-free, real-time electrical detection of biological interactions at the single-event level, or switching their molecular conductance upon exposure to external stimuli, such as ion, pH, and light. These investigations highlight the unique advantages and importance of these universal methodologies to produce functional carbon electrode-molecule junctions in current and future researches toward the development of practical molecular devices, thus offering a reliable platform for molecular electronics and the promise of a new generation of multifunctional integrated circuits and sensors.

Superhydrophobicity-mediated electrochemical reaction along the solid-liquid-gas triphase interface: edge-growth of gold architectures

A superhydrophobic pillar-structured electrode leads to uncommon electrochemical behavior. The anti-wetting reaction surface restricts the contact between electrolyte and electrode to the pillar tops, as a result of trapped air pockets in the gaps between pillars. The electrochemical reaction occurs mainly at the solid/liquid/gas triphase interface, instead of the traditional solid/liquid diphase surface, yielding unique edge-growth structures - for example gold microflowers - on the top of each pillar.

Electrochemical behavior of N-methyl-N'-carboxydecyl-4,4'-bipyridinium probed by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

Interfacial structure determines the activity and selectivity of a sensor and plays important roles in interfacial electrochemistry, electroanalysis, biosensing, etc. In situ electrochemical Raman spectroscopy appears to be a powerful tool to probe the electrochemical interface and surface process by providing the molecular fingerprint information. Herein, the electrochemical behaviors of N-methyl-N'-carboxydecyl-4,4'-bipyridinium (derivatives of methyl viologens, MV(2+)) with different alkyl chain lengths (n=2 and 10) on roughened Au electrodes were systematically investigated by the electrochemical surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). Three systems with different interfacial structures were constructed. One is to anchor the MV(2+) molecules via esterification with the 2-mercaptoethanol molecule pre-assembled on the Au surface. The second system is similar to the first one but without esterification. The third system is the direct adsorption of MV(2+) molecules on the bare roughened Au surfaces. The three systems gave different spectral response upon the change of the electrode potential. A drastically increased relative Raman intensity of 19a/8a modes of the MV(2+) molecules was observed at negative potentials. The phenomenon is attributed to the formation of the reduced form of MV(2+) molecules, which produces resonant Raman effect to enhanced the signal of 19a mode. The third system showed the highest electrochemical reduction activity towards the reduction of MV(2+) molecules, followed by the first and second systems. The result indicates that the interfacial structure can sensitively influence electrochemical activity of the electrode.

2,3-Di(2-pyridyl)-5-phenylpyrazine: a NN-CNN-type bridging ligand for dinuclear transition-metal complexes

A new bridging ligand, 2,3-di(2-pyridyl)-5-phenylpyrazine (dpppzH), has been synthesized. This ligand was designed so that it could bind two metals through a NN-CNN-type coordination mode. The reaction of dpppzH with cis-[(bpy)2RuCl2] (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) affords monoruthenium complex [(bpy)2Ru(dpppzH)](2+) (1(2+)) in 64 % yield, in which dpppzH behaves as a NN bidentate ligand. The asymmetric biruthenium complex [(bpy)2Ru(dpppz)Ru(Mebip)](3+) (2(3+)) was prepared from complex 1(2+) and [(Mebip)RuCl3] (Mebip = bis(N-methylbenzimidazolyl)pyridine), in which one hydrogen atom on the phenyl ring of dpppzH is lost and the bridging ligand binds to the second ruthenium atom in a CNN tridentate fashion. In addition, the RuPt heterobimetallic complex [(bpy)2Ru(dpppz)Pt(C≡CPh)](2+) (4(2+)) has been prepared from complex 1(2+), in which the bridging ligand binds to the platinum atom through a CNN binding mode. The electronic properties of these complexes have been probed by using electrochemical and spectroscopic techniques and studied by theoretical calculations. Complex 1(2+) is emissive at room temperature, with an emission λmax = 695 nm. No emission was detected for complex 2(3+) at room temperature in MeCN, whereas complex 4(2+) displayed an emission at about 750 nm. The emission properties of these complexes are compared to those of previously reported Ru and RuPt bimetallic complexes with a related ligand, 2,3-di(2-pyridyl)-5,6-diphenylpyrazine.

Single-Molecule Conductance in a Series of Extended Viologen Molecules

Single-molecule conductance in a series of extended viologen molecules was measured at room temperature using a gold-molecule-gold scanning tunneling microscopy break junction arrangement. Conductance values for individual molecules change from 4.8 ± 1.2 nS for the shortest compound to 2.9 ± 1.0 nS for the compound with six repeating units and length of 11 nm. The latter value is almost 3 orders of magnitude higher than that reported for all-carbon-based aromatic molecular wires of comparable length. On the basis of the length of the molecules, an attenuation factor of only 0.06 ± 0.004 nm(-1) (0.006 ± 0.0004 Å(-1)) was obtained. To the best of our knowledge, this is the smallest value reported for the conductance attenuation in a series of molecular wires.

Mono-fluorinated alkyne-derived SAMs on oxide-free Si(111) surfaces: preparation, characterization and tuning of the Si workfunction

Organic monolayers derived from ω-fluoro-1-alkynes of varying carbon chain lengths (C(10)-C(18)) were prepared on Si(111) surfaces, resulting in changes of the physical and electronic properties of the surface. Analysis of the monolayers using XPS, Infrared Reflection Absorption Spectroscopy, ellipsometry and static water contact angle measurements provided information regarding the monolayer thickness, the tilt angle, and the surface coverage. Additionally, PCFF molecular mechanics studies were used to obtain information on the optimal packing density and the layer thickness, which were compared to the experimentally found data. From the results, it can be concluded that the monolayers derived from longer chain lengths are more ordered, possess a lower tilt angle, and have a higher surface coverage than monolayers derived from shorter chains. We also demonstrate that by substitution of an H by F atom in the terminal group, it is possible to controllably modify the surface potential and energy barrier for charge transport in a full metal/monolayer-semiconductor (MOMS) junction.

Single molecule bridging between metal electrodes

Single molecular junctions, in which a single molecule bridges between metal electrodes, have attracted wide attention as novel properties can appear due to their peculiar geometrical and electronic characters. The single molecular junction has also attracted attention due to its potential application in ultrasmall single molecular electronic devices, where single molecules are utilized as active electronic components. Thus, fabrication of single molecular junctions as well as understanding and controlling their properties (e.g. conductance, optical and magnetic properties) have become long-standing goals of scientists and engineers. This review article focuses on the experimental aspects of single molecular junctions, with primary focus on the electron transport mechanism.

One-step vs stepwise immobilization of 1-D coordination-based Rh-Rh molecular wires on gold surfaces

Reaction of dimeric [Rh(II)(2)(phen)(2)(μ-OAc)(2)(MeCN)(2)](BF(4))(2) (phen =1,10-phenanthroline) with pyrazine (pz) in a 1:2 ratio leads to the new 1-D metal-metal-bonded coordination oligomer {[Rh(II)(2)(phen)(2)(μ-OAc)(2)(pz)](BF(4))(2)}(n) (Rh-Rhpz)(n) (1), where each Rh atom of the dimeric unit (Rh-Rh) is coordinated in the equatorial plane to a nitrogen atom of a rigid and linear bifunctionalized organic linker (pz). Single X-ray diffraction analysis reveals the 1-D straight oligomeric chain structure (molecular wire, MW) consists of alternating (Rh-Rh) units and pz linking ligands with free BF(4)(-) as counteranions, and each metal center has a slightly distorted octahedral arrangement. The presence of accessible labile MeCN groups on both ends of these MWs ("free ends") enables functionalization of a 4-mercaptopyridine-gold coordinating platform (Au/MP) to form in one step a layer of coordination oligomer (Au/MP(Rh-Rhpz)(n); n ≈ 50). Furthermore (Rh-Rhpz)(n) (n = 1-6) MWs were grafted to Au/MP surfaces by a conventional step-by-step assembly construction involving coordination reactions between the Rh dimer ([Rh(2)(phen)(2)(μ-OAc)(2)(MeCN)(2)](BF(4))(2) (2)) and pz. A detailed physicochemical study (UV-vis, RAIR, QCM-D, ellipsometry, contact angle measurements, as well as impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry) has been made during both assembly methods to characterize the resulting surface-anchored coordination molecular wire (CMW) layers (Au/MP(Rh-Rhpz)(n)). The results indicate that the immobilized molecular assemblies (MAs) were successfully fabricated using both methods of assembly. The efficiency of the two methods is discussed.

Orientation-dependent electron transport in a single redox protein

The redox-active protein cytochrome b(562) has been engineered to introduce pairs of thiol groups in the form of cysteine residues at specified sites. Successful STM imaging of the molecules adsorbed on a gold surface indicated that one thiol group controls the orientation of the molecule and that the protein maintains its native form under the experimental conditions. Stable protein-gold STM tip electrical contact was directly observed to form via the second free thiol group in current-voltage and current-distance measurements. Proteins with thiol contacts positioned across the protein's short axis displayed a conductance of (3.48 ± 0.05) × 10(-5)G(0). However proteins with thiol groups placed along the long axis reproducibly yielded two distinct values of (1.95 ± 0.03) × 10(-5)G(0) and (3.57 ± 0.11) × 10(-5)G(0), suggesting that the placement of the asymmetrically located haem within the protein influences electron transfer. In contrast, the unengineered wild-type cytochrome b(562) had conductance values at least 1 order of magnitude less. Here we show that an electron transfer protein engineered to bind gold surfaces can be controllably oriented and electrically contacted to metallic electrodes, a prerequisite for potential integration into electronic circuits.

Template-assisted assembly: scanning tunneling microscopy study of solvent-dependent adlattices of alkyl-derivatized tetrathiafulvalene

The self-assembly of an adsorbate as a function of the strength of solvent-substrate adsorption is an important yet relatively unexplored subject. In this study, how the strength of solvent-substrate adsorption and solvent-solvent attraction affects the assembly of tetrakis(octadecylthio)tetrathiafulvalene (1) is scrutinized by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). For solvents with strong intermolecular interactions and adsorption onto graphite, such as long n-alkanes (C(n)H(2n+2), n ≥ 13), STM reveals that the solvent molecules form lamellae which become a template to direct the assembly of 1 into one-dimensional arrays. The lengths of one of the unit cell vectors for the assemblies are increased and well correlated with the solvent sizes. In situ STM monitoring of 1 introduced onto graphite with preadsorbed n-tetradecane adlattices shows that the developed assemblies of 1 have striped features aligned parallel to the underlying template. In contrast, for solvents with weak adsorption, such as short n-alkanes (C(n)H(2n+2), n ≤ 12), toluene, and 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene, the adlattice structures of 1 are solvent-independent.

Electrochemical fabrication of highly stable redox-active nanojunctions

Redox-gated molecular junctions were obtained starting with a relatively large gap between two electrodes, in the micrometer range, followed by electrochemical polymerization of aniline. Polyaniline (PANI) grows from the tip side until it bridges the two electrodes. The resulting junctions were characterized electrochemically by following the variation of the tip-substrate current as a function of the electrochemical gate potential for various bias voltages and by recording their I(V) characteristics. The two electrodes make contact through PANI wires, and microjunctions with conductances around 10(-3) S were obtained. On the basis of a similar setup, PANI nanojunctions with conductances between 10(-7) and 10(-8) S were made, where the current appears to be controlled by fewer than 10 oligoaniline strands. Despite the small number of strands connecting the two electrodes, the junctions are highly stable even when several successive potential sweeps are performed. Comparison of the conductance measured in the oxidized and reduced states leads to an on/off ratio of about 70-100, which is higher than that reported for a single aniline heptamer bridging two electrodes, highlighting the interest of connecting a few tens of molecules using the scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) configuration. In some cases, the switching of the PANI takes place in several individual conductance steps close to that obtained for a single oligoaniline. Finally, starting with a microjunction and mechanically withdrawing the tip shrinks it down to the nanometer scale and makes it possible to reach the regime where the conductance is controlled by a limited number of strands. This work presents an easy method for making redox-gated nanojunctions and for probing the conductance of a few oligoanilines despite an initially large tip-substrate gap.

Revealing the molecular structure of single-molecule junctions in different conductance states by fishing-mode tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

The conductance of single-molecule junctions may be governed by the structure of the molecule in the gap or by the way it bonds with the leads, and the information contained in a Raman spectrum is ideal for examining both. Here we demonstrate that molecule-to-surface bonding may be characterized during electron transport by 'fishing-mode' tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (FM-TERS). This technique allows mutually verifiable single-molecule conductance and Raman signals with single-molecule contributions to be acquired simultaneously at room temperature. Density functional theory calculations reveal that the most significant spectral change seen for a gold-4,4′-bipyridine-gold junction results from the deformation of the pyridine ring in contact with the drain electrode at high voltage, and these calculations suggest that a stronger bonding interaction between the molecule and the drain may account for the nonlinear dependence of conductance on bias voltage. FM-TERS will lead to a better understanding of electron-transport processes in molecular junctions.

The conductance of single-molecule junctions is affected by the structure of the molecule and how it is bound to the electrodes, which may be examined using Raman spectroscopy. Liu et al. have developed 'fishing-mode' tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, which allows the simultaneous determination of conductance and Raman spectra.

Modulation of electronic couplings within Ru2-polyyne frameworks

Dimers of [Ru(2)(Xap)(4)] bridged by 1,3,5-hexatriyn-diyl (Xap are 2-anilinopyridinate and its aniline substituted derivatives), [Ru(2)(Xap)(4)](2)(μ-C(6)) (1), were prepared. Compounds 1 reacted with 1 equiv of tetracyanoethene (TCNE) to yield the cyclo-addition/insertion products [Ru(2)(Xap)(4)](2){μ-C≡CC(C(CN)(2))-C(C(CN)(2))C≡C} (2) and 1 equiv of Co(2)(dppm)(CO)(6) to yield the η(2)-Co(2) adducts to the middle C≡C bond, [Ru(2)(Xap)(4)](2)(μ-C(6))(Co(2)(dppm)(CO)(4)) (3). Voltammetric and spectroelectrochemical studies revealed that (i) two Ru(2) termini in 1 are sufficiently coupled with the monoanion (1(-)) as a Robin-Day class II/III mixed valence species; (ii) the coupling between two Ru(2) is still significant but somewhat weakened in 3; and (iii) the coupling between two Ru(2) is completely removed by the insertion of TCNE in 2. The attenuation of electronic couplings in 2 and 3 was further explored with both the X-ray diffraction study of representative compounds and spin-unrestricted DFT calculations.

Conductance histogram evolution of an EC-MCBJ fabricated Au atomic point contact

This work presents a study of Au conductance quantization based on a combined electrochemical deposition and mechanically controllable break junction (MCBJ) method. We describe the microfabrication process and discuss improved features of our microchip structure compared to the previous one. The improved structure prolongs the available life of the microchip and also increases the success rate of the MCBJ experiment. Stepwise changes in the current were observed at the last stage of atomic point contact breakdown and conductance histograms were constructed. The evolution of 1G0 peak height in conductance histograms was used to investigate the probability of formation of an atomic point contact. It has been shown that the success rate in forming an atomic point contact can be improved by decreasing the stretching speed and the degree that the two electrodes are brought into contact. The repeated breakdown and formation over thousands of cycles led to a distinctive increase of 1G0 peak height in the conductance histograms, and this increased probability of forming a single atomic point contact is discussed.

Characterization of Electrochemically Synthesized Pani on Graphite Electrode Use EIS

Polyaniline (Pani) on graphite electrode was synthesized electrochemically under galvanostatic condition at current density of 2.0 mA/cm2 from aqueous solution of 1.0 mol/L HCl and 0.25 mol/L aniline monomer. The Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy investigation of Pani was carried out at different stages of polymers oxidation. In the potential range 0.2V~0.7 V vs SCE, with the increase of test potential the membrane resistance decreased rapidly, and Faraday process at the polymer/solution interface weakened. When the test potential in range of -0.8V~0.2V or 0.7V~0.8V, the film has a higher membrane resistance, and lower ionic charge transfer resistance, which indicated that the ion exchange for the charge compensation at the polymer/electrolyte interface is much easier. And anticorrosion properties of Pani coating of different oxidations was investigated by salt spray test. The final visual observations of the tested coatings are in agree with the results of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.

Single molecule electronic devices

Single molecule electronic devices in which individual molecules are utilized as active electronic components constitute a promising approach for the ultimate miniaturization and integration of electronic devices in nanotechnology through the bottom-up strategy. Thus, the ability to understand, control, and exploit charge transport at the level of single molecules has become a long-standing desire of scientists and engineers from different disciplines for various potential device applications. Indeed, a study on charge transport through single molecules attached to metallic electrodes is a very challenging task, but rapid advances have been made in recent years. This review article focuses on experimental aspects of electronic devices made with single molecules, with a primary focus on the characterization and manipulation of charge transport in this regime.