1
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Tanaka Y. Organometallics in molecular junctions: conductance, functions, and reactions. Dalton Trans 2024; 53:8512-8523. [PMID: 38712999 DOI: 10.1039/d4dt00668b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Molecular junctions, which involve sandwiching molecular structures between electrodes, play a crucial role in molecular electronics. Recent advances in this field have revealed the vital role of organometallic chemistry in the investigation of molecular junctions, which has added to their well-known contributions to catalysis and materials chemistry. This review summarizes the recent examples of organometallic chemistry applications in molecular junctions, which can be categorized into three types, i.e., class I encompassing molecular junctions with bridging organometallic complexes, class II involving molecular junctions with covalent and noncovalent metal electrode-carbon bonds, and class III comprising organometallic reactions within molecular junctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuya Tanaka
- Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8503, Japan.
- School of Materials and Chemical Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8503, Japan
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2
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Almughathawi R, Hou S, Wu Q, Lambert CJ. Signatures of Topological States in Conjugated Macrocycles. NANO LETTERS 2024; 24. [PMID: 38591962 PMCID: PMC11057032 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c04796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2024] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
Single-molecule electrical junctions possess a molecular core connected to source and drain electrodes via anchor groups, which feed and extract electricity from specific atoms within the core. As the distance between electrodes increases, the electrical conductance typically decreases, which is a feature shared by classical Ohmic conductors. Here we analyze the electrical conductance of cycloparaphenylene (CPP) macrocycles and demonstrate that they can exhibit a highly nonclassical increase in their electrical conductance as the distance between electrodes increases. We demonstrate that this is due to the topological nature of the de Broglie wave created by electrons injected into the macrocycle from the source. Although such topological states do not exist in isolated macrocycles, they are created when the molecule is in contact with the source. They are predicted to be a generic feature of conjugated macrocycles and open a new avenue to implementing highly nonclassical transport behavior in molecular junctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renad Almughathawi
- Physics
Department, Lancaster University, LA1 4YB Lancaster, United Kingdom
- Physics
Department, Faculty of science, Taibah University, Medina 42353, Saudi Arabia
| | - Songjun Hou
- Physics
Department, Lancaster University, LA1 4YB Lancaster, United Kingdom
| | - Qingqing Wu
- Physics
Department, Lancaster University, LA1 4YB Lancaster, United Kingdom
| | - Colin J. Lambert
- Physics
Department, Lancaster University, LA1 4YB Lancaster, United Kingdom
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3
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Lee W, Li L, Camarasa-Gómez M, Hernangómez-Pérez D, Roy X, Evers F, Inkpen MS, Venkataraman L. Photooxidation driven formation of Fe-Au linked ferrocene-based single-molecule junctions. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1439. [PMID: 38365892 PMCID: PMC10873316 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45707-z] [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: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Metal-metal contacts, though not yet widely realized, may provide exciting opportunities to serve as tunable and functional interfaces in single-molecule devices. One of the simplest components which might facilitate such binding interactions is the ferrocene group. Notably, direct bonds between the ferrocene iron center and metals such as Pd or Co have been demonstrated in molecular complexes comprising coordinating ligands attached to the cyclopentadienyl rings. Here, we demonstrate that ferrocene-based single-molecule devices with Fe-Au interfacial contact geometries form at room temperature in the absence of supporting coordinating ligands. Applying a photoredox reaction, we propose that ferrocene only functions effectively as a contact group when oxidized, binding to gold through a formal Fe3+ center. This observation is further supported by a series of control measurements and density functional theory calculations. Our findings extend the scope of junction contact chemistries beyond those involving main group elements, lay the foundation for light switchable ferrocene-based single-molecule devices, and highlight new potential mechanistic function(s) of unsubstituted ferrocenium groups in synthetic processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Woojung Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027, USA
| | - Liang Li
- Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027, USA
| | - María Camarasa-Gómez
- Institute of Theoretical Physics, University of Regensburg, 93040, Regensburg, Germany
| | | | - Xavier Roy
- Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027, USA
| | - Ferdinand Evers
- Institute of Theoretical Physics, University of Regensburg, 93040, Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Michael S Inkpen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA.
| | - Latha Venkataraman
- Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027, USA.
- Department of Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027, USA.
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4
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Bennett TLR, Long NJ. A convenient synthesis of ferrocene-(ethynylphenyl)thioacetates. Dalton Trans 2023; 52:16465-16471. [PMID: 37873649 DOI: 10.1039/d3dt02954a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Ferrocene is popular within the field of molecular electronics due to its well-defined electronic properties. However, where the conductance of highly-conjugated oligophenylethylenes has been widely studied, work on analogous ferrocenyl systems has been relatively rare, possibly due to difficulties associated with the synthesis of molecules containing terminal thioacetates, which are often used to bind molecules to metallic electrodes. Herein, a widely applicable synthetic methodology is demonstrated which can be used to synthesize a variety of conjugated ferrocene-alkyne systems terminated with thioacetates, including symmetric, asymmetric and multi-ferrocene systems. Conjugation of the ferrocene units to their terminal atoms is then shown through the use of both UV/Vis spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. This work paves the way for future studies and applications of conjugated ferrocene systems in the field of nanoelectronics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Troy L R Bennett
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, London, W12 0BZ, UK.
| | - Nicholas J Long
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, London, W12 0BZ, UK.
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5
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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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6
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Pabi B, Marek Š, Pal A, Kumari P, Ray SJ, Thakur A, Korytár R, Pal AN. Resonant transport in a highly conducting single molecular junction via metal-metal covalent bond. NANOSCALE 2023; 15:12995-13008. [PMID: 37483089 DOI: 10.1039/d3nr02585c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
Achieving highly transmitting molecular junctions through resonant transport at low bias is key to the next-generation low-power molecular devices. Although resonant transport in molecular junctions was observed by connecting a molecule between the metal electrodes via chemical anchors by applying a high source-drain bias (>1 V), the conductance was limited to <0.1G0, G0 being the quantum of conductance. Herein, we report electronic transport measurements by directly connecting a ferrocene molecule between Au electrodes under ambient conditions in a mechanically controllable break junction setup (MCBJ), revealing a conductance peak at ∼0.2G0 in the conductance histogram. A similar experiment was repeated for ferrocene terminated with amine (-NH2) and cyano (-CN) anchors, where conductance histograms exhibit an extended low conductance feature, including the sharp high conductance peak, similar to pristine ferrocene. The statistical analysis of the data and density functional theory-based transport calculation suggest a possible molecular conformation with a strong hybridization between the Au electrodes, and that the Fe atom of ferrocene is responsible for a near-perfect transmission in the vicinity of the Fermi energy, leading to the resonant transport at a small applied bias (<0.5 V). Moreover, calculations including van der Waals/dispersion corrections reveal a covalent-like organometallic bonding between Au and the central Fe atom of ferrocene, having bond energies of ∼660 meV. Overall, our study not only demonstrates the realization of an air-stable highly transmitting molecular junction, but also provides important insights about the nature of chemical bonding at the metal/organo-metallic interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biswajit Pabi
- Department of Condensed Matter and Materials Physics, S. N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, Sector III, Block JD, Salt Lake, Kolkata 700106, India.
| | - Štepán Marek
- Department of Condensed Matter Physics, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Charles University, 121 16, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Adwitiya Pal
- Department of Chemistry, Jadavpur University, Kolkata-700032, India
| | - Puja Kumari
- Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology Patna, Bihar-801106, India
| | - Soumya Jyoti Ray
- Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology Patna, Bihar-801106, India
| | - Arunabha Thakur
- Department of Chemistry, Jadavpur University, Kolkata-700032, India
| | - Richard Korytár
- Department of Condensed Matter Physics, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Charles University, 121 16, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Atindra Nath Pal
- Department of Condensed Matter and Materials Physics, S. N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, Sector III, Block JD, Salt Lake, Kolkata 700106, India.
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7
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Zhang H, Zhou P, Daaoub A, Sangtarash S, Zhao S, Yang Z, Zhou Y, Zou YL, Decurtins S, Häner R, Yang Y, Sadeghi H, Liu SX, Hong W. Atomically well-defined nitrogen doping for cross-plane transport through graphene heterojunctions. Chem Sci 2023; 14:6079-6086. [PMID: 37293661 PMCID: PMC10246689 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc00075c] [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: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The nitrogen doping of graphene leads to graphene heterojunctions with a tunable bandgap, suitable for electronic, electrochemical, and sensing applications. However, the microscopic nature and charge transport properties of atomic-level nitrogen-doped graphene are still unknown, mainly due to the multiple doping sites with topological diversities. In this work, we fabricated atomically well-defined N-doped graphene heterojunctions and investigated the cross-plane transport through these heterojunctions to reveal the effects of doping on their electronic properties. We found that a different doping number of nitrogen atoms leads to a conductance difference of up to ∼288%, and the conductance of graphene heterojunctions with nitrogen-doping at different positions in the conjugated framework can also lead to a conductance difference of ∼170%. Combined ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy measurements and theoretical calculations reveal that the insertion of nitrogen atoms into the conjugation framework significantly stabilizes the frontier molecular orbitals, leading to a change in the relative positions of the HOMO and LUMO to the Fermi level of the electrodes. Our work provides a unique insight into the role of nitrogen doping in the charge transport through graphene heterojunctions and materials at the single atomic level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hewei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Pen-Tung Sah Institute of Micro-Nano Science and Technology, IKKEM, Xiamen University 361005 Xiamen China
| | - Ping Zhou
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bern Freiestrasse 3 3012 Bern Switzerland
| | - Abdalghani Daaoub
- Device Modelling Group, School of Engineering, University of Warwick Coventry CV4 7AL UK
| | - Sara Sangtarash
- Device Modelling Group, School of Engineering, University of Warwick Coventry CV4 7AL UK
| | - Shiqiang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Pen-Tung Sah Institute of Micro-Nano Science and Technology, IKKEM, Xiamen University 361005 Xiamen China
| | - Zixian Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Pen-Tung Sah Institute of Micro-Nano Science and Technology, IKKEM, Xiamen University 361005 Xiamen China
| | - Yu Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Pen-Tung Sah Institute of Micro-Nano Science and Technology, IKKEM, Xiamen University 361005 Xiamen China
| | - Yu-Ling Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Pen-Tung Sah Institute of Micro-Nano Science and Technology, IKKEM, Xiamen University 361005 Xiamen China
| | - Silvio Decurtins
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bern Freiestrasse 3 3012 Bern Switzerland
| | - Robert Häner
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bern Freiestrasse 3 3012 Bern Switzerland
| | - Yang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Pen-Tung Sah Institute of Micro-Nano Science and Technology, IKKEM, Xiamen University 361005 Xiamen China
| | - Hatef Sadeghi
- Device Modelling Group, School of Engineering, University of Warwick Coventry CV4 7AL UK
| | - Shi-Xia Liu
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bern Freiestrasse 3 3012 Bern Switzerland
| | - Wenjing Hong
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Pen-Tung Sah Institute of Micro-Nano Science and Technology, IKKEM, Xiamen University 361005 Xiamen China
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8
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Mu Y, Yu J, Hu R, Wang CH, Cheng C, Hou BP. Ab initio study revealing remarkable oscillatory effects and negative differential resistance in the molecular device of silicon carbide chains. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2023; 25:13265-13274. [PMID: 36924456 DOI: 10.1039/d2cp05677a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
Inspired by the requirements of miniaturization and multifunction of molecular devices, we investigate the quantum transport properties of three unique molecular devices with silicon carbide chains bridging gold electrodes by an ab initio approach. The pronounced quantum effects, including the oscillation of charge, conductance, and current, together with the negative differential resistance (NDR), have been observed simultaneously over a wide region in the double-chain device. It changes the regular situation that these two effects usually emerge in single-chain systems at the same time. Inspections of the visible differences in the transport behaviors relevant to length and bias between the three devices further evidence that the interchain interaction and molecule-electrode coupling are decisive factors for achieving the quantum effects of oscillation and NDR. These two factors can improve electronic transport capability through enhancing transmission, strengthening the delocalization of frontier molecular orbitals, and reducing potential barriers. Our results not only lay a solid foundation for the application of silicon carbide chains in the miniaturized and multifunctional molecular devices with good performance, but also provide an efficient way to the continuing search for materials with multiple controllable quantum effects in nanoelectronics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Mu
- College of Physics and Electronic Engineering, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Jie Yu
- College of Physics and Electronic Engineering, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Rui Hu
- College of Physics and Electronic Engineering, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Cui-Hong Wang
- College of Physics and Electronic Engineering, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Cai Cheng
- College of Physics and Electronic Engineering, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Bang-Pin Hou
- College of Physics and Electronic Engineering, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, China.
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9
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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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10
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Li T, Dief EM, Kalužná Z, MacGregor M, Foroutan-Nejad C, Darwish N. On-Surface Azide-Alkyne Cycloaddition Reaction: Does It Click with Ruthenium Catalysts? LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2022; 38:5532-5541. [PMID: 35470670 PMCID: PMC9097529 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.2c00100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Owing to its simplicity, selectivity, high yield, and the absence of byproducts, the "click" azide-alkyne reaction is widely used in many areas. The reaction is usually catalyzed by copper(I), which selectively produces the 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole regioisomer. Ruthenium-based catalysts were later developed to selectively produce the opposite regioselectivity─the 1,5-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole isomer. Ruthenium-based catalysis, however, remains only tested for click reactions in solution, and the suitability of ruthenium catalysts for surface-based click reactions remains unknown. Also unknown are the electrical properties of the 1,4- and 1,5-regioisomers, and to measure them, both isomers need to be assembled on the electrode surface. Here, we test whether ruthenium catalysts can be used to catalyze surface azide-alkyne reactions to produce 1,5-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole, and compare their electrochemical properties, in terms of surface coverages and electron transfer kinetics, to those of the compound formed by copper catalysis, 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole isomer. Results show that ruthenium(II) complexes catalyze the click reaction on surfaces yielding the 1,5-disubstituted isomer, but the rate of the reaction is remarkably slower than that of the copper-catalyzed reaction, and this is related to the size of the catalyst involved as an intermediate in the reaction. The electron transfer rate constant (ket) for the ruthenium-catalyzed reaction is 30% of that measured for the copper-catalyzed 1,4-isomer. The lower conductivity of the 1,5-isomer is confirmed by performing nonequilibrium Green's function computations on relevant model systems. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of ruthenium-based catalysis of surface click reactions and point toward an electrical method for detecting the isomers of click reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiexin Li
- School
of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia 6102, Australia
| | - Essam M. Dief
- School
of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia 6102, Australia
| | - Zlatica Kalužná
- Institute
of Organic Chemistry, Polish Academy of
Sciences, Kasprzaka 44/52, 01-224Warsaw, Poland
- University
of Warsaw, Faculty of Physics, Pasteura 5, 00-092Warsaw, Poland
| | - Melanie MacGregor
- Flinders
Institute for Nanoscale Science & Technology, Flinders University, Bedford
Park, South Australia5042, Australia
| | - Cina Foroutan-Nejad
- Institute
of Organic Chemistry, Polish Academy of
Sciences, Kasprzaka 44/52, 01-224Warsaw, Poland
- Institute
of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech
Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo nám. 2, CZ-16610Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Nadim Darwish
- School
of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia 6102, Australia
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11
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Sheppard SA, Bennett TLR, Long NJ. Development and Characterisation of Highly‐Conjugated Functionalised Ferrocenylene Macrocycles. Eur J Inorg Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ejic.202200055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Nicholas James Long
- Imperial College of Science Dept. of Chemistry South Kensington SW7 2AZ London UNITED KINGDOM
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12
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Casper LA, Ebel V, Linseis M, Winter RF. Five shades of green: substituent influence on the (spectro-) electrochemical properties of diferrocenyl(phenyl)methylium dyes. Dalton Trans 2021; 50:15336-15351. [PMID: 34636831 DOI: 10.1039/d1dt03009d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Five new, intensely green diferrocenylphenylmethylium complexes 1+-5+ with electron donating (EDG: 4-MeO, 4-Me, 4-Br) or withdrawing (EWG: 3,5-CF3, 4-nC6F13) substituents were synthesized and fully characterized. The substituent influence on their electrochemical and spectroscopic properties was investigated by cyclic voltammetry, UV/Vis/NIR and T-dependent EPR spectroscopy of the cationic as well as the oxidized (12+-52+) and reduced (1˙-5˙) species. The reduced forms equilibrate with their corresponding dimers (65-83%) with a clear substituent influence as expressed by their Hammett parameters in an ordering 4+ > 5+ > 3+ > 2+ > 1+. The structures of all five precursor carbinols 1-OH-5-OH and those of three of the diferrocenylphenylmethylium cations (1+, 4+-5+) were established by X-ray crystallography.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa A Casper
- Fachbereich Chemie, Universität Konstanz, 78457 Konstanz, Germany.
| | - Viktoria Ebel
- Fachbereich Chemie, Universität Konstanz, 78457 Konstanz, Germany.
| | - Michael Linseis
- Fachbereich Chemie, Universität Konstanz, 78457 Konstanz, Germany.
| | - Rainer F Winter
- Fachbereich Chemie, Universität Konstanz, 78457 Konstanz, Germany.
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13
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Yuan S, Xu X, Daaoub A, Fang C, Cao W, Chen H, Sangtarash S, Zhang J, Sadeghi H, Hong W. Single-atom control of electrical conductance and thermopower through single-cluster junctions. NANOSCALE 2021; 13:12594-12601. [PMID: 34259698 DOI: 10.1039/d1nr02734d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The control of single atoms offers fundamental insight into understanding the charge transport through single clusters, and the atomic precision of the clusters provides the opportunity to manipulate the charge transport even at the single-atom level. Herein, we designed and investigated the electrical conductance and thermopower of Anderson-type polyoxometalate (POM) clusters with single-atom variation using the scanning tunneling microscopy break-junction (STM-BJ) technique. Our results show the electrical conductance of single clusters can be changed by an order of magnitude by substituting different center-metal atoms, and the electrical conductance of clusters shows different bias-dependence. Furthermore, the Seebeck coefficients of the POM clusters also can be significantly changed by the center-metal atoms. The non-equilibrium quantum transport calculations reveal that the electrostatic potential profile is non-uniformly dependent on the center-metal atoms. This leads to gating of electrical conductance by bias voltage. This supports the tuning of thermopower and bias dependent transmission spectra. This work provides the fundamental understanding of single-atom control of charge transport in POM single-cluster junctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saisai Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Xiamen University Xiamen, 361005, China.
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14
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Vecchi A, Sabin JR, Sabuzi F, Conte V, Cicero DO, Floris B, Galloni P, Nemykin VN. Similar, Yet Different: Long-Range Metal-Metal Coupling and Electron-Transfer Processes in Metal-Free 5,10,15,20-Tetra(ruthenocenyl)porphyrin. Inorg Chem 2021; 60:8227-8241. [PMID: 34033715 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.1c00908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The electronic structure, redox properties, and long-range metal-metal coupling in metal-free 5,10,15,20-tetra(ruthenocenyl)porphyrin (H2TRcP) were probed by spectroscopic (NMR, UV-vis, magnetic circular dichroism (MCD), and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI)), electrochemical (cyclic voltammetry, CV, and differential pulse voltammetry, DPV), spectroelectrochemical, and chemical oxidation methods, as well as theoretical (density functional theory, DFT, and time-dependent DFT, TDDFT) approaches. It was demonstrated that the spectroscopic properties of H2TRcP are significantly different from those in H2TFcP (metal-free 5,10,15,20-tetra(ferrocenyl)porphyrin). Ruthenocenyl fragments in H2TRcP have higher oxidation potentials than the ferrocene groups in the H2TFcP complex. Similar to H2TFcP, we were able to access and spectroscopically characterize the one- and two-electron oxidized mixed-valence states in the H2TRcP system. DFT predicts that the porphyrin π-system stabilizes the [H2TRcP]+ mixed-valence cation and prevents its dimerization, which is characteristic for ruthenocenyl systems. However, formation of the mixed-valence [H2TRcP]2+ is significantly less reproducible than the formation of [H2TRcP]+. DFT and TDDFT calculations suggest the ruthenocenyl fragment dominance in the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energy region and the presence of the low-energy MLCT (Rc → porphyrin (π*)) transitions in the visible region with energies higher than the predominantly porphyrin-centered Q-bands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Vecchi
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome 0133, Italy.,Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Minnesota Duluth, Duluth, Minnesota 55812, United States
| | - Jared R Sabin
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Minnesota Duluth, Duluth, Minnesota 55812, United States
| | - Federica Sabuzi
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome 0133, Italy
| | - Valeria Conte
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome 0133, Italy
| | - Daniel Oscar Cicero
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome 0133, Italy
| | - Barbara Floris
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome 0133, Italy
| | - Pierluca Galloni
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome 0133, Italy
| | - Victor N Nemykin
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Minnesota Duluth, Duluth, Minnesota 55812, United States.,Department of Chemistry, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, United States
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15
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Yuan S, Gao T, Cao W, Pan Z, Liu J, Shi J, Hong W. The Characterization of Electronic Noise in the Charge Transport through Single-Molecule Junctions. SMALL METHODS 2021; 5:e2001064. [PMID: 34927823 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202001064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
With the goal of creating single-molecule devices and integrating them into circuits, the emergence of single-molecule electronics provides various techniques for the fabrication of single-molecule junctions and the investigation of charge transport through such junctions. Among the techniques for characterization of charge transport through molecular junctions, electronic noise characterization is an effective strategy with which issues from molecule-electrode interfaces, mechanisms of charge transport, and changes in junction configurations are studied. Electronic noise analysis in single-molecule junctions can be used to identify molecular conformations and even monitor reaction kinetics. This review summarizes the various types of electronic noise that have been characterized during single-molecule electrical detection, including the functions of random telegraph signal (RTS) noise, flicker noise, shot noise, and their corresponding applications, which provide some guidelines for the future application of these techniques to problems of charge transport through single-molecule junctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saisai Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering iChEM, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China
| | - Tengyang Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering iChEM, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China
| | - Wenqiang Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering iChEM, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China
| | - Zhichao Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering iChEM, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China
| | - Junyang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering iChEM, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China
| | - Jia Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering iChEM, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China
| | - Wenjing Hong
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering iChEM, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
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16
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Lapham P, Vilà-Nadal L, Cronin L, Georgiev VP. Influence of the Contact Geometry and Counterions on the Current Flow and Charge Transfer in Polyoxometalate Molecular Junctions: A Density Functional Theory Study. THE JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY. C, NANOMATERIALS AND INTERFACES 2021; 125:3599-3610. [PMID: 33633816 PMCID: PMC7899180 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcc.0c11038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Polyoxometalates (POMs) are promising candidates for molecular electronic applications because (1) they are inorganic molecules, which have better CMOS compatibility compared to organic molecules; (2) they are easily synthesized in a one-pot reaction from metal oxides (MO x ) (where the metal M can be, e.g., W, V, or Mo, and x is an integer between 4 and 7); (3) POMs can self-assemble to form various shapes and configurations, and thus the chemical synthesis can be tailored for specific device performance; and (4) they are redox-active with multiple states that have a very low voltage switching between polarized states. However, a deep understanding is required if we are to make commercial molecular devices a reality. Simulation and modeling are the most time efficient and cost-effective methods to evaluate a potential device performance. Here, we use density functional theory in combination with nonequilibrium Green's function to study the transport properties of [W18O54(SO3)2]4-, a POM cluster, in a variety of molecular junction configurations. Our calculations reveal that the transport profile not only is linked to the electronic structure of the molecule but also is influenced by contact geometry and presence of ions. More specifically, the contact geometry and the number of bonds between the POM and the electrodes determine the current flow. Hence, strong and reproducible contact between the leads and the molecule is mandatory to establish a reliable fabrication process. Moreover, although often ignored, our simulations show that the charge balancing counterions activate the conductance channels intrinsic to the molecule, leading to a dramatic increase in the computed current at low bias. Therefore, the role of these counterions cannot be ignored when molecular based devices are fabricated. In summary, this work shows that the current transport in POM junctions is determined by not only the contact geometry between the molecule and the electrode but also the presence of ions around the molecule. This significantly impacts the transport properties in such nanoscale molecular electronic devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Lapham
- Device Modelling Group, James Watt School of
Engineering, The University of Glasgow, G12 8QQ Glasgow,
U.K.
| | - Laia Vilà-Nadal
- School of Chemistry, The University of
Glasgow, G12 8QQ Glasgow, U.K.
| | - Leroy Cronin
- School of Chemistry, The University of
Glasgow, G12 8QQ Glasgow, U.K.
| | - Vihar P. Georgiev
- Device Modelling Group, James Watt School of
Engineering, The University of Glasgow, G12 8QQ Glasgow,
U.K.
- (V.P.G.)
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17
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Gao T, Liu Y, Zhang X, Bai J, Hong W. Preparation and Application of Microelectrodes at the Single-Molecule Scale. Chem Asian J 2021; 16:253-260. [PMID: 33378120 DOI: 10.1002/asia.202001372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Molecular electronics offers a potential solution for the miniaturization of electronics beyond conventional silicon electronics. A key goal of molecular electronics is to fabricate the single-molecule junction with the functions of electronic units. The term "molecular junction" means a molecular cluster or a single molecule incorporated between two microelectrodes, and electrons are transported across it. The methods of constructing molecular junctions dynamically were developed, such as STM-BJ, AFM-BJ, and MCBJ, providing precise control of the gap and easy measurement of thousands of junctions. Electrodes based on these techniques are commonly called microelectrodes because at least one dimension is on the micron scale. In this manuscript, we summarize the preparation methods of microelectrodes and their application in single-molecule measurements. In addition, we discuss the electrode factor that influences the molecular electrical properties, such as material, curvature radius and cone angle, and further provide a brief prospect of molecular electronics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tengyang Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, P. R. China
| | - Yuyan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, P. R. China
| | - Xueqing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, P. R. China
| | - Jie Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, P. R. China
| | - Wenjing Hong
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, P. R. China.,Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
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18
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Gao T, Pan Z, Cai Z, Zheng J, Tang C, Yuan S, Zhao SQ, Bai H, Yang Y, Shi J, Xiao Z, Liu J, Hong W. Electric field-induced switching among multiple conductance pathways in single-molecule junctions. Chem Commun (Camb) 2021; 57:7160-7163. [PMID: 34184023 DOI: 10.1039/d1cc02111g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Here, we report the switching among multiple conductance pathways achieved by sliding the scanning tunneling microscope tip among different binding sites under different electric fields. With an increase in the electric field, high molecular conductance states appear, suggesting the formation of different configurations in single-molecule junctions. The switch can be operated in situ and reversibly, which is also confirmed by the apparent conductance conversion in I-V measurements. Theoretical simulations also agree well with the experimental results, which implies that the electric field enables the possibility to trigger switching in single-molecule junctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tengyang Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China.
| | - Zhichao Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China.
| | - Zhuanyun Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China.
| | - Jueting Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China.
| | - Chun Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China.
| | - Saisai Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China.
| | - Shi Qiang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China.
| | - Hua Bai
- College of Materials, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Yang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China.
| | - Jia Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China.
| | - Zongyuan Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China.
| | - Junyang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China.
| | - Wenjing Hong
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China.
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19
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Han Y, Nijhuis CA. Functional Redox-Active Molecular Tunnel Junctions. Chem Asian J 2020; 15:3752-3770. [PMID: 33015998 PMCID: PMC7756406 DOI: 10.1002/asia.202000932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Redox-active molecular junctions have attracted considerable attention because redox-active molecules provide accessible energy levels enabling electronic function at the molecular length scales, such as, rectification, conductance switching, or molecular transistors. Unlike charge transfer in wet electrochemical environments, it is still challenging to understand how redox-processes proceed in solid-state molecular junctions which lack counterions and solvent molecules to stabilize the charge on the molecules. In this minireview, we first introduce molecular junctions based on redox-active molecules and discuss their properties from both a chemistry and nanoelectronics point of view, and then discuss briefly the mechanisms of charge transport in solid-state redox-junctions followed by examples where redox-molecules generate new electronic function. We conclude with challenges that need to be addressed and interesting future directions from a chemical engineering and molecular design perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingmei Han
- Department of ChemistryNational University of Singapore3 Science Drive 3Singapore117543Singapore
| | - Christian A. Nijhuis
- Department of ChemistryNational University of Singapore3 Science Drive 3Singapore117543Singapore
- Centre for Advanced 2D Materials and Graphene Research CentreNational University of Singapore6 Science Drive 2Singapore117546Singapore
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20
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Chen LC, Zheng J, Liu J, Gong XT, Chen ZZ, Guo RX, Huang X, Zhang YP, Zhang L, Li R, Shao X, Hong W, Zhang HL. Nonadditive Transport in Multi-Channel Single-Molecule Circuits. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2020; 16:e2002808. [PMID: 32851802 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202002808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
As stated in the classic Kirchhoff's circuit laws, the total conductance of two parallel channels in an electronic circuit is the sum of the individual conductance. However, in molecular circuits, the quantum interference (QI) between the individual channels may lead to apparent invalidity of Kirchhoff's laws. Such an effect can be very significant in single-molecule circuits consisting of partially overlapped multiple transport channels. Herein, an investigation on how the molecular circuit conductance correlates to the individual channels is conducted in the presence of QI. It is found that the conductance of multi-channel circuit consisting of both constructive and destructive QI is significantly smaller than the addition of individual ones due to the interference between channels. In contrast, the circuit consisting of destructive QI channels exhibits an additive transport. These investigations provide a new cognition of transport mechanism and manipulation of transport in multi-channel molecular circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Chuan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry (SKLAOC), College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, P. R. China
| | - Jueting Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, iChem Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, P. R. China
| | - Junyang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, iChem Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, P. R. China
| | - Xiao-Ting Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry (SKLAOC), College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, P. R. China
| | - Zi-Zhen Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry (SKLAOC), College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, P. R. China
| | - Rui-Xue Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry (SKLAOC), College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoyan Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, iChem Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, P. R. China
| | - Yu-Peng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry (SKLAOC), College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, P. R. China
| | - Lei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry (SKLAOC), College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, P. R. China
| | - Ruihao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, iChem Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, P. R. China
| | - Xiangfeng Shao
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry (SKLAOC), College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, P. R. China
| | - Wenjing Hong
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, iChem Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, P. R. China
| | - Hao-Li Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry (SKLAOC), College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, P. R. China
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21
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Yao X, Sun X, Lafolet F, Lacroix JC. Long-Range Charge Transport in Diazonium-Based Single-Molecule Junctions. NANO LETTERS 2020; 20:6899-6907. [PMID: 32786941 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.0c03000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Thin layers of cobalt and ruthenium polypyridyl-oligomers with thicknesses between 2 and 8 nm were deposited on gold by electrochemical reduction of diazonium salts. A scanning tunneling microscope was used to create single-molecule junctions (SMJs). The charge transport properties of the Au-[Co(tpy)2]n-Au (n = 1-4) SMJs do not depend markedly on the oligomer length, have an extremely low attenuation factor (β ∼ 0.19 nm-1), and do not show a thickness-dependent transition between two mechanisms. Resonant charge transport is proposed as the main transport mechanism. The SMJ conductance decreases by 1 order of magnitude upon changing the metal from Co to Ru. In Au-[Ru(tpy)2]n-Au and Au-[Ru(bpy)3]n-Au SMJs, a charge transport transition from direct tunneling to hopping is evidenced by a break in the length-dependent β-plot. The three different mechanisms observed are a clear molecular signature on transport in SMJs. Most importantly, these results are in good agreement with those obtained on large-area molecular junctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinlei Yao
- Université de Paris, ITODYS, CNRS-UMR 7086, 15 rue Jean-Antoine de Baïf, 75205 Paris Cedex 13, France
| | - Xiaonan Sun
- Université de Paris, ITODYS, CNRS-UMR 7086, 15 rue Jean-Antoine de Baïf, 75205 Paris Cedex 13, France
| | - Frédéric Lafolet
- Université de Paris, ITODYS, CNRS-UMR 7086, 15 rue Jean-Antoine de Baïf, 75205 Paris Cedex 13, France
| | - Jean-Christophe Lacroix
- Université de Paris, ITODYS, CNRS-UMR 7086, 15 rue Jean-Antoine de Baïf, 75205 Paris Cedex 13, France
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22
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Wu XH, Chen F, Yan F, Pei LQ, Hou R, Horsley JR, Abell AD, Zhou XS, Yu J, Li DF, Jin S, Mao BW. Constructing Dual-Molecule Junctions to Probe Intermolecular Crosstalk. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:30584-30590. [PMID: 32538608 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c01556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Understanding and controlling charge transport across multiple parallel molecules are fundamental to the creation of innovative functional electronic components, as future molecular devices will likely be multimolecular. The smallest possible molecular ensemble to address this challenge is a dual-molecule junction device, which has potential to unravel the effects of intermolecular crosstalk on electronic transport at the molecular level that cannot be elucidated using either conventional single-molecule or self-assembled monolayer (SAM) techniques. Herein, we demonstrate the fabrication of a scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) dual-molecule junction device, which utilizes noncovalent interactions and allows for direct comparison to the conventional STM single-molecule device. STM-break junction (BJ) measurements reveal a decrease in conductance of 10% per molecule from the dual-molecule to the single-molecule junction device. Quantum transport simulations indicate that this decrease is attributable to intermolecular crosstalk (i.e., intermolecular π-π interactions), with possible contributions from substrate-mediated coupling (i.e., molecule-electrode). This study provides the first experimental evidence to interpret intermolecular crosstalk in electronic transport at the STM-BJ level and translates the experimental observations into meaningful molecular information to enhance our fundamental knowledge of this subject matter. This approach is pertinent to the design and development of future multimolecular electronic components and also to other dual-molecular systems where such crosstalk is mediated by various noncovalent intermolecular interactions (e.g., electrostatic and hydrogen bonding).
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Hui Wu
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Fang Chen
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory for Reactive Chemistry on Solid Surfaces, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, Zhejiang 321004, China
| | - Feng Yan
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Lin-Qi Pei
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Rong Hou
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - John R Horsley
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics (CNBP), Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing, Department of Chemistry, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia
| | - Andrew D Abell
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics (CNBP), Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing, Department of Chemistry, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia
| | - Xiao-Shun Zhou
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory for Reactive Chemistry on Solid Surfaces, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, Zhejiang 321004, China
| | - Jingxian Yu
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics (CNBP), Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing, Department of Chemistry, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia
| | - Dong-Feng Li
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Shan Jin
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Bing-Wei Mao
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces and Department of Chemistry, iChEM, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
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