1
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Guo A, Song M, Chen Q, Zhang Z, Feng Y, Hu X, Liu M. Enhanced Label-Free Photoelectrochemical Strategy for Pollutant Detection: Using Surface Oxygen Vacancies-Enriched BiVO 4 Photoanode. Anal Chem 2024; 96:9944-9952. [PMID: 38843071 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.4c01157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2024]
Abstract
Label-free photoelectrochemical sensors have the advantages of high sensitivity and a simple electrode structure. However, its performance is greatly limited due to the photoactive materials' weak photoactivity and poor stability. Herein, a robust homogeneous photoelectrochemical (PEC) aptasensor has been constructed for atrazine (ATZ) based on photoetching (PE) surface oxygen vacancies (Ov)-enriched Bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) (PE-BVO). The surface of the Ov improves the carrier separation ability of BiVO4, thus providing a superior signal substrate for the sensor. A thiol molecular layer self-assembled on PE-BVO acts as a blocker, while 2D graphene acts as a signal-on probe after release from the aptamer-graphene complex. The fabricated sensor has a wide linear detection range of 0.5 pM to 10.0 nM and a low detection limit of 0.34 pM (S/N = 3) for ATZ. In addition, it can efficiently work in a wide pH range (3-13) and high ionic strength (∼6 M Na+), which provides promising opportunities for detecting environmental pollutants under complex conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aijiao Guo
- School of Chemical Science and Engineering, Shanghai Key Lab of Chemical Assessment and Sustainability, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Menglin Song
- School of Chemical Science and Engineering, Shanghai Key Lab of Chemical Assessment and Sustainability, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Qichen Chen
- School of Chemical Science and Engineering, Shanghai Key Lab of Chemical Assessment and Sustainability, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Ziwei Zhang
- School of Chemical Science and Engineering, Shanghai Key Lab of Chemical Assessment and Sustainability, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Ye Feng
- School of Chemical Science and Engineering, Shanghai Key Lab of Chemical Assessment and Sustainability, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Xialin Hu
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Meichuan Liu
- School of Chemical Science and Engineering, Shanghai Key Lab of Chemical Assessment and Sustainability, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China
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2
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Bera S, Fereiro JA, Saxena SK, Chryssikos D, Majhi K, Bendikov T, Sepunaru L, Ehre D, Tornow M, Pecht I, Vilan A, Sheves M, Cahen D. Near-Temperature-Independent Electron Transport Well beyond Expected Quantum Tunneling Range via Bacteriorhodopsin Multilayers. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145. [PMID: 37933117 PMCID: PMC10655127 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c09120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
A key conundrum of biomolecular electronics is efficient electron transport (ETp) through solid-state junctions up to 10 nm, often without temperature activation. Such behavior challenges known charge transport mechanisms, especially via nonconjugated molecules such as proteins. Single-step, coherent quantum-mechanical tunneling proposed for ETp across small protein, 2-3 nm wide junctions, but it is problematic for larger proteins. Here we exploit the ability of bacteriorhodopsin (bR), a well-studied, 4-5 nm long membrane protein, to assemble into well-defined single and multiple bilayers, from ∼9 to 60 nm thick, to investigate ETp limits as a function of junction width. To ensure sufficient signal/noise, we use large area (∼10-3 cm2) Au-protein-Si junctions. Photoemission spectra indicate a wide energy separation between electrode Fermi and the nearest protein-energy levels, as expected for a polymer of mostly saturated components. Junction currents decreased exponentially with increasing junction width, with uniquely low length-decay constants (0.05-0.5 nm-1). Remarkably, even for the widest junctions, currents are nearly temperature-independent, completely so below 160 K. While, among other things, the lack of temperature-dependence excludes, hopping as a plausible mechanism, coherent quantum-mechanical tunneling over 60 nm is physically implausible. The results may be understood if ETp is limited by injection into one of the contacts, followed by more efficient charge propagation across the protein. Still, the electrostatics of the protein films further limit the number of charge carriers injected into the protein film. How electron transport across dozens of nanometers of protein layers is more efficient than injection defines a riddle, requiring further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudipta Bera
- Department
of Molecular Chemistry and Materials Science, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Jerry A. Fereiro
- Department
of Molecular Chemistry and Materials Science, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
- School
of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science
Education and Research, Thiruvananthapuram 695551, Kerala, India
| | - Shailendra K. Saxena
- Department
of Molecular Chemistry and Materials Science, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
- Department
of Physics and Nanotechnology, College of Engineering and Technology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Chennai 603203, Tamil
Nadu, India
| | - Domenikos Chryssikos
- Molecular
Electronics, Technical University of Munich, 85748 Garching, Germany
- Fraunhofer
Institute for Electronic Microsystems and Solid State Technologies
(EMFT), 80686 München, Germany
| | - Koushik Majhi
- Department
of Molecular Chemistry and Materials Science, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Tatyana Bendikov
- Department
of Chemical Research Support, Weizmann Institute
of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Lior Sepunaru
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of California, Santa
Barbara, California 93106, United States
| | - David Ehre
- Department
of Molecular Chemistry and Materials Science, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Marc Tornow
- Molecular
Electronics, Technical University of Munich, 85748 Garching, Germany
- Fraunhofer
Institute for Electronic Microsystems and Solid State Technologies
(EMFT), 80686 München, Germany
| | - Israel Pecht
- Department
of Immunology and Regenerative Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Ayelet Vilan
- Department
of Chemical and Biological Physics Weizmann
Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Mordechai Sheves
- Department
of Molecular Chemistry and Materials Science, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - David Cahen
- Department
of Molecular Chemistry and Materials Science, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
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3
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Li T, Bandari VK, Schmidt OG. Molecular Electronics: Creating and Bridging Molecular Junctions and Promoting Its Commercialization. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2209088. [PMID: 36512432 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202209088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Molecular electronics is driven by the dream of expanding Moore's law to the molecular level for next-generation electronics through incorporating individual or ensemble molecules into electronic circuits. For nearly 50 years, numerous efforts have been made to explore the intrinsic properties of molecules and develop diverse fascinating molecular electronic devices with the desired functionalities. The flourishing of molecular electronics is inseparable from the development of various elegant methodologies for creating nanogap electrodes and bridging the nanogap with molecules. This review first focuses on the techniques for making lateral and vertical nanogap electrodes by breaking, narrowing, and fixed modes, and highlights their capabilities, applications, merits, and shortcomings. After summarizing the approaches of growing single molecules or molecular layers on the electrodes, the methods of constructing a complete molecular circuit are comprehensively grouped into three categories: 1) directly bridging one-molecule-electrode component with another electrode, 2) physically bridging two-molecule-electrode components, and 3) chemically bridging two-molecule-electrode components. Finally, the current state of molecular circuit integration and commercialization is discussed and perspectives are provided, hoping to encourage the community to accelerate the realization of fully scalable molecular electronics for a new era of integrated microsystems and applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianming Li
- Research Center for Materials, Architectures and Integration of Nanomembranes (MAIN), Chemnitz University of Technology, 09126, Chemnitz, Germany
- Material Systems for Nanoelectronics, Chemnitz University of Technology, 09111, Chemnitz, Germany
| | - Vineeth Kumar Bandari
- Research Center for Materials, Architectures and Integration of Nanomembranes (MAIN), Chemnitz University of Technology, 09126, Chemnitz, Germany
- Material Systems for Nanoelectronics, Chemnitz University of Technology, 09111, Chemnitz, Germany
| | - Oliver G Schmidt
- Research Center for Materials, Architectures and Integration of Nanomembranes (MAIN), Chemnitz University of Technology, 09126, Chemnitz, Germany
- Material Systems for Nanoelectronics, Chemnitz University of Technology, 09111, Chemnitz, Germany
- Nanophysics, Dresden University of Technology, 01069, Dresden, Germany
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4
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Gupta N, Karuppannan SK, Pasula RR, Vilan A, Martin J, Xu W, May EM, Pike AR, Astier HPA, Salim T, Lim S, Nijhuis CA. Temperature-Dependent Coherent Tunneling across Graphene-Ferritin Biomolecular Junctions. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:44665-44675. [PMID: 36148983 PMCID: PMC9542697 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c11263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the mechanisms of charge transport (CT) across biomolecules in solid-state devices is imperative to realize biomolecular electronic devices in a predictive manner. Although it is well-accepted that biomolecule-electrode interactions play an essential role, it is often overlooked. This paper reveals the prominent role of graphene interfaces with Fe-storing proteins in the net CT across their tunnel junctions. Here, ferritin (AfFtn-AA) is adsorbed on the graphene by noncovalent amine-graphene interactions confirmed with Raman spectroscopy. In contrast to junctions with metal electrodes, graphene has a vanishing density of states toward its intrinsic Fermi level ("Dirac point"), which increases away from the Fermi level. Therefore, the amount of charge carriers is highly sensitive to temperature and electrostatic charging (induced doping), as deduced from a detailed analysis of CT as a function of temperature and iron loading. Remarkably, the temperature dependence can be fully explained within the coherent tunneling regime due to excitation of hot carriers. Graphene is not only demonstrated as an alternative platform to study CT across biomolecular tunnel junctions, but it also opens rich possibilities in employing interface electrostatics in tuning CT behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nipun
Kumar Gupta
- Department
of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore 117543, Singapore
- Centre
for Advanced 2D Materials, National University
of Singapore, 6 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117546, Singapore
| | - Senthil Kumar Karuppannan
- Department
of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore 117543, Singapore
| | - Rupali Reddy Pasula
- School
of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 70 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637457, Singapore
| | - Ayelet Vilan
- Department
of Chemical and Biological Physics, Weizmann
Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Jens Martin
- Centre
for Advanced 2D Materials, National University
of Singapore, 6 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117546, Singapore
| | - Wentao Xu
- Centre
for Advanced 2D Materials, National University
of Singapore, 6 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117546, Singapore
| | - Esther Maria May
- Chemistry-School
of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle
University, Newcastle
upon Tyne NE1 7RU, U.K.
| | - Andrew R. Pike
- School
of
Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang
Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Hippolyte P. A.
G. Astier
- Department
of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore 117543, Singapore
| | - Teddy Salim
- School
of
Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang
Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Sierin Lim
- School
of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 70 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637457, Singapore
| | - Christian A. Nijhuis
- Department
of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore 117543, Singapore
- Centre
for Advanced 2D Materials, National University
of Singapore, 6 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117546, Singapore
- Hybrid
Materials for Opto-Electronics Group, Department of Molecules and
Materials, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology and Centre for Brain-Inspired
Nano Systems, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands
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5
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Soh EJH, Astier HPAG, Daniel D, Isaiah Chua JQ, Miserez A, Jia Z, Li L, O'Shea SJ, Bhaskaran H, Tomczak N, Nijhuis CA. AFM Manipulation of EGaIn Microdroplets to Generate Controlled, On-Demand Contacts on Molecular Self-Assembled Monolayers. ACS NANO 2022; 16:14370-14378. [PMID: 36065994 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c04667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Liquid metal droplets, such as eutectic gallium-indium (EGaIn), are important in many research areas, such as soft electronics, catalysis, and energy storage. Droplet contact on solid surfaces is typically achieved without control over the applied force and without optimizing the wetting properties in different environments (e.g., in air or liquid), resulting in poorly defined contact areas. In this work, we demonstrate the direct manipulation of EGaIn microdroplets using an atomic force microscope (AFM) to generate repeated, on-demand making and breaking of contact on self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of alkanethiols. The nanoscale positional control and feedback loop in an AFM allow us to control the contact force at the nanonewton level and, consequently, tune the droplet contact areas at the micrometer length scale in both air and ethanol. When submerged in ethanol, the droplets are highly nonwetting, resulting in hysteresis-free contact forces and minimal adhesion; as a result, we are able to create reproducible geometric contact areas of 0.8-4.5 μm2 with the alkanethiolate SAMs in ethanol. In contrast, there is a larger hysteresis in the contact forces and larger adhesion for the same EGaIn droplet in air, which reduced the control over the contact area (4-12 μm2). We demonstrate the usefulness of the technique and of the gained insights in EGaIn contact mechanics by making well-defined molecular tunneling junctions based on alkanethiolate SAMs with small geometric contact areas of between 4 and 12 μm2 in air, 1 to 2 orders of magnitude smaller than previously achieved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugene Jia Hao Soh
- Department of Materials, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PH, United Kingdom
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore 138634
| | | | - Dan Daniel
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore 138634
- Division of Physical Sciences and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jia Qing Isaiah Chua
- Biological and Biomimetic Material Laboratory, Center for Biomimetic Sensor Science, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore 637553
| | - Ali Miserez
- Biological and Biomimetic Material Laboratory, Center for Biomimetic Sensor Science, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore 637553
| | - Zian Jia
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Ling Li
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Sean J O'Shea
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore 138634
| | - Harish Bhaskaran
- Department of Materials, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PH, United Kingdom
| | - Nikodem Tomczak
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore 138634
| | - Christian A Nijhuis
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543
- Hybrid Materials for Optoelectronics Group, Department of Molecules and Materials, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology and Center for Brain-Inspired Nano Systems, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands
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6
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Wang X, Ismael A, Ning S, Althobaiti H, Al-Jobory A, Girovsky J, Astier HPAG, O'Driscoll LJ, Bryce MR, Lambert CJ, Ford CJB. Electrostatic Fermi level tuning in large-scale self-assembled monolayers of oligo(phenylene-ethynylene) derivatives. NANOSCALE HORIZONS 2022; 7:1201-1209. [PMID: 35913108 DOI: 10.1039/d2nh00241h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Understanding and controlling the orbital alignment of molecules placed between electrodes is essential in the design of practically-applicable molecular and nanoscale electronic devices. The orbital alignment is highly determined by the molecule-electrode interface. Dependence of orbital alignment on the molecular anchor group for single molecular junctions has been intensively studied; however, when scaling-up single molecules to large parallel molecular arrays (like self-assembled monolayers (SAMs)), two challenges need to be addressed: 1. Most desired anchor groups do not form high quality SAMs. 2. It is much harder to tune the frontier molecular orbitals via a gate voltage in SAM junctions than in single molecular junctions. In this work, we studied the effect of the molecule-electrode interface in SAMs with a micro-pore device, using a recently developed tetrapodal anchor to overcome challenge 1, and the combination of a single layered graphene top electrode with an ionic liquid gate to solve challenge 2. The zero-bias orbital alignment of different molecules was signalled by a shift in conductance minimum vs. gate voltage for molecules with different anchoring groups. Molecules with the same backbone, but a different molecule-electrode interface, were shown experimentally to have conductances that differ by a factor of 5 near zero bias. Theoretical calculations using density functional theory support the trends observed in the experimental data. This work sheds light on how to control electron transport within the HOMO-LUMO energy gap in molecular junctions and will be applicable in scaling up molecular electronic systems for future device applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xintai Wang
- Department of Physics, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, UK
- School of Information Science and Technology, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian, China
| | - Ali Ismael
- Physics Department, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YB, UK.
- Department of Physics, College of Education for Pure Science, Tikrit University, Tikrit, Iraq
| | - Shanglong Ning
- Department of Physics, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, UK
| | - Hanan Althobaiti
- Physics Department, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YB, UK.
- Department of Physics, College of Science, Taif-University, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Alaa Al-Jobory
- Physics Department, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YB, UK.
- Department of Physics, College of Science, University of Anbar, Anbar, Iraq
| | - Jan Girovsky
- Department of Physics, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, UK
| | - Hippolyte P A G Astier
- Department of Physics, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, UK
| | - Luke J O'Driscoll
- Department of Chemistry, Durham University, Lower Mountjoy, Stockton Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
| | - Martin R Bryce
- Department of Chemistry, Durham University, Lower Mountjoy, Stockton Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
| | - Colin J Lambert
- Physics Department, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YB, UK.
| | - Christopher J B Ford
- Department of Physics, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, UK
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7
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Carlotti M, Soni S, Kovalchuk A, Kumar S, Hofmann S, Chiechi RC. Empirical Parameter to Compare Molecule-Electrode Interfaces in Large-Area Molecular Junctions. ACS PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY AU 2022; 2:179-190. [PMID: 35637782 PMCID: PMC9136952 DOI: 10.1021/acsphyschemau.1c00029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
![]()
This paper describes
a simple model for comparing the degree of
electronic coupling between molecules and electrodes across different
large-area molecular junctions. The resulting coupling parameter can
be obtained directly from current–voltage data or extracted
from published data without fitting. We demonstrate the generalizability
of this model by comparing over 40 different junctions comprising
different molecules and measured by different laboratories. The results
agree with existing models, reflect differences in mechanisms of charge
transport and rectification, and are predictive in cases where experimental
limitations preclude more sophisticated modeling. We also synthesized
a series of conjugated molecular wires, in which embedded dipoles
are varied systematically and at both molecule–electrode interfaces.
The resulting current–voltage characteristics vary in nonintuitive
ways that are not captured by existing models, but which produce trends
using our simple model, providing insights that are otherwise difficult
or impossible to explain. The utility of our model is its demonstrative
generalizability, which is why simple observables like tunneling decay
coefficients remain so widely used in molecular electronics despite
the existence of much more sophisticated models. Our model is complementary,
giving insights into molecule–electrode coupling across series
of molecules that can guide synthetic chemists in the design of new
molecular motifs, particularly in the context of devices comprising
large-area molecular junctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Carlotti
- Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Saurabh Soni
- Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Andrii Kovalchuk
- Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Sumit Kumar
- Electrical Engineering Division, Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0FA, U.K
| | - Stephan Hofmann
- Electrical Engineering Division, Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0FA, U.K
| | - Ryan C Chiechi
- Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
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8
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Li T, Hantusch M, Qu J, Bandari VK, Knupfer M, Zhu F, Schmidt OG. On-chip integrated process-programmable sub-10 nm thick molecular devices switching between photomultiplication and memristive behaviour. Nat Commun 2022; 13:2875. [PMID: 35610214 PMCID: PMC9130281 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30498-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular devices constructed by sub-10 nm thick molecular layers are promising candidates for a new generation of integratable nanoelectronic applications. Here, we report integrated molecular devices based on ultrathin copper phthalocyanine/fullerene hybrid layers with microtubular soft-contacts, which exhibit process-programmable functionality switching between photomultiplication and memristive behaviour. The local electric field at the interface between the polymer bottom electrode and the enclosed molecular channels modulates the ionic-electronic charge interaction and hence determines the transition of the device function. When ions are not driven into the molecular channels at a low interface electric field, photogenerated holes are trapped as electronic space charges, resulting in photomultiplication with a high external quantum efficiency. Once mobile ions are polarized and accumulated as ionic space charges in the molecular channels at a high interface electric field, the molecular devices show ferroelectric-like memristive switching with remarkable resistive ON/OFF and rectification ratios. Developing molecular electronics is challenged by integrating fragile organic molecules into modern micro/nanoelectronics based on inorganic semiconductors. Li et al. apply rolled-up nanotechnology to assemble on-chip molecular devices, which can be switched between photodiodes and volatile memristors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianming Li
- Center for Materials, Architectures and Integration of Nanomembranes (MAIN), Chemnitz University of Technology, 09126, Chemnitz, Germany.,Material Systems for Nanoelectronics, Chemnitz University of Technology, 09107, Chemnitz, Germany.,Institute for Integrative Nanosciences, Leibniz IFW Dresden, 01069, Dresden, Germany
| | - Martin Hantusch
- Institute for Solid State Research, Leibniz IFW Dresden, 01069, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jiang Qu
- Center for Materials, Architectures and Integration of Nanomembranes (MAIN), Chemnitz University of Technology, 09126, Chemnitz, Germany.,Material Systems for Nanoelectronics, Chemnitz University of Technology, 09107, Chemnitz, Germany.,Institute for Integrative Nanosciences, Leibniz IFW Dresden, 01069, Dresden, Germany
| | - Vineeth Kumar Bandari
- Center for Materials, Architectures and Integration of Nanomembranes (MAIN), Chemnitz University of Technology, 09126, Chemnitz, Germany.,Material Systems for Nanoelectronics, Chemnitz University of Technology, 09107, Chemnitz, Germany.,Institute for Integrative Nanosciences, Leibniz IFW Dresden, 01069, Dresden, Germany
| | - Martin Knupfer
- Institute for Solid State Research, Leibniz IFW Dresden, 01069, Dresden, Germany
| | - Feng Zhu
- Center for Materials, Architectures and Integration of Nanomembranes (MAIN), Chemnitz University of Technology, 09126, Chemnitz, Germany. .,Material Systems for Nanoelectronics, Chemnitz University of Technology, 09107, Chemnitz, Germany. .,Institute for Integrative Nanosciences, Leibniz IFW Dresden, 01069, Dresden, Germany. .,State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 130022, Changchun, China.
| | - Oliver G Schmidt
- Center for Materials, Architectures and Integration of Nanomembranes (MAIN), Chemnitz University of Technology, 09126, Chemnitz, Germany. .,Material Systems for Nanoelectronics, Chemnitz University of Technology, 09107, Chemnitz, Germany. .,Institute for Integrative Nanosciences, Leibniz IFW Dresden, 01069, Dresden, Germany. .,School of Science, Dresden University of Technology, 01069, Dresden, Germany.
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9
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Qiu X, Chiechi RC. Printable logic circuits comprising self-assembled protein complexes. Nat Commun 2022; 13:2312. [PMID: 35484124 PMCID: PMC9050843 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30038-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper describes the fabrication of digital logic circuits comprising resistors and diodes made from protein complexes and wired together using printed liquid metal electrodes. These resistors and diodes exhibit temperature-independent charge-transport over a distance of approximately 10 nm and require no encapsulation or special handling. The function of the protein complexes is determined entirely by self-assembly. When induced to self-assembly into anisotropic monolayers, the collective action of the aligned dipole moments increases the electrical conductivity of the ensemble in one direction and decreases it in the other. When induced to self-assemble into isotropic monolayers, the dipole moments are randomized and the electrical conductivity is approximately equal in both directions. We demonstrate the robustness and utility of these all-protein logic circuits by constructing pulse modulators based on AND and OR logic gates that function nearly identically to simulated circuits. These results show that digital circuits with useful functionality can be derived from readily obtainable biomolecules using simple, straightforward fabrication techniques that exploit molecular self-assembly, realizing one of the primary goals of molecular electronics. Proteins are promising molecular materials for next-generation electronic devices. Here, the authors fabricated printable digital logic circuits comprising resistors and diodes from self-assembled photosystem I complexes that enable pulse modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinkai Qiu
- Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG, Groningen, The Netherlands. .,Optoelectronics Group, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, UK.
| | - Ryan C Chiechi
- Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG, Groningen, The Netherlands. .,Department of Chemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695-8204, United States.
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10
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Chen X, Kretz B, Adoah F, Nickle C, Chi X, Yu X, Del Barco E, Thompson D, Egger DA, Nijhuis CA. A single atom change turns insulating saturated wires into molecular conductors. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3432. [PMID: 34103489 PMCID: PMC8187423 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23528-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
We present an efficient strategy to modulate tunnelling in molecular junctions by changing the tunnelling decay coefficient, β, by terminal-atom substitution which avoids altering the molecular backbone. By varying X = H, F, Cl, Br, I in junctions with S(CH2)(10-18)X, current densities (J) increase >4 orders of magnitude, creating molecular conductors via reduction of β from 0.75 to 0.25 Å−1. Impedance measurements show tripled dielectric constants (εr) with X = I, reduced HOMO-LUMO gaps and tunnelling-barrier heights, and 5-times reduced contact resistance. These effects alone cannot explain the large change in β. Density-functional theory shows highly localized, X-dependent potential drops at the S(CH2)nX//electrode interface that modifies the tunnelling barrier shape. Commonly-used tunnelling models neglect localized potential drops and changes in εr. Here, we demonstrate experimentally that \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}
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\begin{document}$$\beta \propto 1/\sqrt{{\varepsilon }_{r}}$$\end{document}β∝1/εr, suggesting highly-polarizable terminal-atoms act as charge traps and highlighting the need for new charge transport models that account for dielectric effects in molecular tunnelling junctions. In molecular junctions, where a molecule is placed between two electrodes, the current passed decays exponentially as a function of length. Here, Chen et al. show that this exponentially attenuation can be controlled by changing a single atom at the end of the molecular wire.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoping Chen
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Centre for Advanced 2D Materials and Graphene Research Centre, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Bernhard Kretz
- Department of Physics, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany
| | - Francis Adoah
- Department of Physics, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - Cameron Nickle
- Department of Physics, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - Xiao Chi
- Singapore Synchrotron Light Source, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Xiaojiang Yu
- Singapore Synchrotron Light Source, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Enrique Del Barco
- Department of Physics, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - Damien Thompson
- Department of Physics, Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - David A Egger
- Department of Physics, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany.
| | - Christian A Nijhuis
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore. .,Centre for Advanced 2D Materials and Graphene Research Centre, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore. .,Hybrid Materials for Opto-Electronics Group, Department of Molecules and Materials, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology and Center for Brain-Inspired Nano Systems, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500, AE Enschede, The Netherlands.
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11
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Gorenskaia E, Turner KL, Martín S, Cea P, Low PJ. Fabrication of metallic and non-metallic top electrodes for large-area molecular junctions. NANOSCALE 2021; 13:9055-9074. [PMID: 34042128 DOI: 10.1039/d1nr00917f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Molecular junctions have proven invaluable tools through which to explore the electronic properties of molecules and molecular monolayers. In seeking to develop a viable molecular electronics based technology it becomes essential to be able to reliably create larger area molecular junctions by contacting molecular monolayers to both bottom and top electrodes. The assembly of monolayers onto a conducting substrate by self-assembly, Langmuir-Blodgett and other methods is well established. However, the deposition of top-contact electrodes without film penetration or damage from the growing electrode material has proven problematic. This Review highlights the challenges of this area, and presents a selective overview of methods that have been used to solve these issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Gorenskaia
- School of Molecular Sciences, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.
| | - Kelly L Turner
- School of Molecular Sciences, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.
| | - Santiago Martín
- Instituto de Nanociencia y Materiales de Aragón (INMA), CSIC-Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza 50009, Spain and Departamento de Química Física, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain and Laboratorio de Microscopias Avanzadas (LMA). Universidad de Zaragoza, Edificio I+D+i. 50018, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Pilar Cea
- Instituto de Nanociencia y Materiales de Aragón (INMA), CSIC-Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza 50009, Spain and Departamento de Química Física, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain and Laboratorio de Microscopias Avanzadas (LMA). Universidad de Zaragoza, Edificio I+D+i. 50018, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Paul J Low
- School of Molecular Sciences, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.
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12
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Nguyen QV, Frisbie CD. Hopping Conductance in Molecular Wires Exhibits a Large Heavy-Atom Kinetic Isotope Effect. J Am Chem Soc 2021; 143:2638-2643. [PMID: 33587628 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.0c12244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
We report a large kinetic isotope effect (KIE) for intramolecular charge transport in π-conjugated oligophenyleneimine (OPI) molecules connected to Au electrodes. 13C and 15N substitution on the imine bonds produces a conductance KIE of ∼2.7 per labeled atom in long OPI wires >4 nm in length, far larger than typical heavy-atom KIEs for chemical reactions. In contrast, isotopic labeling in shorter OPI wires <4 nm does not produce a conductance KIE, consistent with a direct tunneling mechanism. Temperature-dependent measurements reveal that conductance for a long 15N-substituted OPI wire is activated, and we propose that the exceptionally large conductance KIEs imply a thermally assisted, through-barrier polaron tunneling mechanism. In general, observation of large conductance KIEs opens up considerable opportunities for understanding microscopic conduction mechanisms in π-conjugated molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quyen Van Nguyen
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - C Daniel Frisbie
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
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13
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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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14
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Karuppannan SK, Martín-Rodríguez A, Ruiz E, Harding P, Harding DJ, Yu X, Tadich A, Cowie B, Qi D, Nijhuis CA. Room temperature conductance switching in a molecular iron(iii) spin crossover junction. Chem Sci 2020; 12:2381-2388. [PMID: 34164002 PMCID: PMC8179334 DOI: 10.1039/d0sc04555a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Herein, we report the first room temperature switchable Fe(iii) molecular spin crossover (SCO) tunnel junction. The junction is constructed from [FeIII(qsal-I)2]NTf2 (qsal-I = 4-iodo-2-[(8-quinolylimino)methyl]phenolate) molecules self-assembled on graphene surfaces with conductance switching of one order of magnitude associated with the high and low spin states of the SCO complex. Normalized conductance analysis of the current–voltage characteristics as a function of temperature reveals that charge transport across the SCO molecule is dominated by coherent tunnelling. Temperature-dependent X-ray absorption spectroscopy and density functional theory confirm the SCO complex retains its SCO functionality on the surface implying that van der Waals molecule—electrode interfaces provide a good trade-off between junction stability while retaining SCO switching capability. These results provide new insights and may aid in the design of other types of molecular devices based on SCO compounds. Herein, we report the first room temperature switchable Fe(iii) molecular spin crossover (SCO) tunnel junction.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Senthil Kumar Karuppannan
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore 3 Science Drive Singapore 117543 Singapore
| | - Alejandro Martín-Rodríguez
- Departament de Química Inorgànica, Institut de Recerca de Química Teòrica i Computacional, Universitat de Barcelona Diagonal 645 08028 Barcelona Spain
| | - Eliseo Ruiz
- Departament de Química Inorgànica, Institut de Recerca de Química Teòrica i Computacional, Universitat de Barcelona Diagonal 645 08028 Barcelona Spain
| | - Phimphaka Harding
- Functional Materials and Nanotechnology Center of Excellence, Walailak University Thasala Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160 Thailand
| | - David J Harding
- Functional Materials and Nanotechnology Center of Excellence, Walailak University Thasala Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160 Thailand
| | - Xiaojiang Yu
- Singapore Synchrotron Light Source, National University of Singapore 5 Research Link Singapore 117603 Singapore
| | - Anton Tadich
- Australian Synchrotron Clayton Victoria 3168 Australia
| | - Bruce Cowie
- School of Chemistry and Physics, Queensland University of Technology Brisbane Queensland 4001 Australia
| | - Dongchen Qi
- School of Chemistry and Physics, Queensland University of Technology Brisbane Queensland 4001 Australia
| | - Christian A Nijhuis
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore 3 Science Drive Singapore 117543 Singapore .,Centre for Advanced 2D Materials & Graphene Research, National University of Singapore 6 Science Drive 2 Singapore 117546 Singapore
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15
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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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16
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Nanofabrication Techniques in Large-Area Molecular Electronic Devices. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/app10176064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The societal impact of the electronics industry is enormous—not to mention how this industry impinges on the global economy. The foreseen limits of the current technology—technical, economic, and sustainability issues—open the door to the search for successor technologies. In this context, molecular electronics has emerged as a promising candidate that, at least in the short-term, will not likely replace our silicon-based electronics, but improve its performance through a nascent hybrid technology. Such technology will take advantage of both the small dimensions of the molecules and new functionalities resulting from the quantum effects that govern the properties at the molecular scale. An optimization of interface engineering and integration of molecules to form densely integrated individually addressable arrays of molecules are two crucial aspects in the molecular electronics field. These challenges should be met to establish the bridge between organic functional materials and hard electronics required for the incorporation of such hybrid technology in the market. In this review, the most advanced methods for fabricating large-area molecular electronic devices are presented, highlighting their advantages and limitations. Special emphasis is focused on bottom-up methodologies for the fabrication of well-ordered and tightly-packed monolayers onto the bottom electrode, followed by a description of the top-contact deposition methods so far used.
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