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Qi Q, Tian G, Ma L. Enhancing the thermopower of single-molecule junctions by edge substitution effects. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2024; 26:11340-11346. [PMID: 38564269 DOI: 10.1039/d3cp06176k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Heteroatom substitution and anchoring groups have an important impact on the thermoelectric properties of single-molecule junctions. Herein, thermoelectric properties of several anthracene derivative based single-molecule junctions are studied by means of first-principles calculations. In particular, we pay great attention to the edge substitution effects and find that edge substitution with nitrogen can induce a transmission peak near the Fermi energy, leading to large transmission coefficients and electrical conductance at the Fermi energy. Additionally, the steep shape of the transmission function gives rise to a high Seebeck coefficient. Therefore, an enhanced power factor can be expected. The robustness of this edge substitution effect has been examined by altering the electrode distance and introducing heteroatoms at different positions. The enhancement of the power factor due to edge substitution makes the studied single-molecule junction a promising candidate for efficient thermoelectric devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Metastable Material Science & Technology and Key Laboratory for Microstructural Material Physics of Hebei Province, School of Science, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao, 066004, P. R. China.
| | - Guangjun Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Metastable Material Science & Technology and Key Laboratory for Microstructural Material Physics of Hebei Province, School of Science, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao, 066004, P. R. China.
| | - Liang Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Metastable Material Science & Technology and Key Laboratory for Microstructural Material Physics of Hebei Province, School of Science, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao, 066004, P. R. China.
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2
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Blankevoort N, Bastante P, Davidson RJ, Salthouse RJ, Daaoub AHS, Cea P, Solans SM, Batsanov AS, Sangtarash S, Bryce MR, Agrait N, Sadeghi H. Exploring the Impact of the HOMO-LUMO Gap on Molecular Thermoelectric Properties: A Comparative Study of Conjugated Aromatic, Quinoidal, and Donor-Acceptor Core Systems. ACS OMEGA 2024; 9:8471-8477. [PMID: 38405513 PMCID: PMC10882689 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c09760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Thermoelectric materials have garnered significant interest for their potential to efficiently convert waste heat into electrical energy at room temperature without moving parts or harmful emissions. This study investigated the impact of the HOMO-LUMO (H-L) gap on the thermoelectric properties of three distinct classes of organic compounds: conjugated aromatics (isoindigos (IIGs)), quinoidal molecules (benzodipyrrolidones (BDPs)), and donor-acceptor systems (bis(pyrrol-2-yl)squaraines (BPSs)). These compounds were chosen for their structural simplicity and linear π-conjugated conductance paths, which promote high electrical conductance and minimize complications from quantum interference. Single-molecule thermoelectric measurements revealed that despite their low H-L gaps, the Seebeck coefficients of these compounds remain low. The alignment of the frontier orbitals relative to the Fermi energy was found to play a crucial role in determining the Seebeck coefficients, as exemplified by the BDP compounds. Theoretical calculations support these findings and suggest that anchor group selection could further enhance the thermoelectric behavior of these types of molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nickel Blankevoort
- Device
Modelling Group, School of Engineering, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K.
| | - Pablo Bastante
- Departamento
de Física de la Materia Condensada C-III, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, E-28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ross J. Davidson
- Department
of Chemistry, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LE, U.K.
| | | | - Abdalghani H. S. Daaoub
- Device
Modelling Group, School of Engineering, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K.
| | - Pilar Cea
- Instituto
de Nanociencia y Materiales de Aragón (INMA), CSIC−Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Departamento
de Química Física, Universidad
de Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Laboratorio
de Microscopias Avanzadas (LMA), Universidad
de Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Santiago Martin Solans
- Instituto
de Nanociencia y Materiales de Aragón (INMA), CSIC−Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Departamento
de Química Física, Universidad
de Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Laboratorio
de Microscopias Avanzadas (LMA), Universidad
de Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
| | | | - Sara Sangtarash
- Device
Modelling Group, School of Engineering, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K.
| | - Martin R. Bryce
- Department
of Chemistry, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LE, U.K.
| | - Nicolas Agrait
- Departamento
de Física de la Materia Condensada C-III, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, E-28049 Madrid, Spain
- Condensed
Matter Physics Center (IFIMAC) and Instituto Universitario de Ciencia
de Materiales “Nicolás Cabrera”, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Hatef Sadeghi
- Device
Modelling Group, School of Engineering, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K.
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3
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Chen L, Yang Z, Lin Q, Li X, Bai J, Hong W. Evolution of Single-Molecule Electronic Interfaces. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2024; 40:1988-2004. [PMID: 38227964 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c03104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Single-molecule electronics can fabricate single-molecule devices via the construction of molecule-electrode interfaces and also provide a unique tool to investigate single-molecule scale physicochemical processes at these interfaces. To investigate single-molecule electronic devices with desired functionalities, an understanding of the interface evolution processes in single-molecule devices is essential. In this review, we focus on the evolution of molecule-electrode interface properties, including the background of interface evolution in single-molecule electronics, the construction of different types of single-molecule interfaces, and the regulation methods. Finally, we discuss the perspective of future characterization techniques and applications for single-molecule electronic interfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lichuan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering & College of Materials & IKKEM, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361000, China
| | - Zixian Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering & College of Materials & IKKEM, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361000, China
| | - Qichao Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering & College of Materials & IKKEM, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361000, China
| | - Xiaohui Li
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering & College of Materials & IKKEM, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361000, China
| | - Jie Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering & College of Materials & IKKEM, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361000, China
| | - Wenjing Hong
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering & College of Materials & IKKEM, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361000, China
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4
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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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5
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Li W, Wang C, Wang T. Metallofullertube: From Tubular Endohedral Structures to Properties. Chemphyschem 2022; 23:e202200507. [PMID: 36018612 DOI: 10.1002/cphc.202200507] [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: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Metallofullertubes are endohedral metallofullerenes with tubular fullerene cage possessing the segment of carbon nanotubes. Metallofullertubes have endohedral metal atom, fullerene cap and nanotube segment. Therefore, it is conceivable that this new kind of molecular materials would bring on many unexpected properties. In recent years, several pioneer metallofullertubes have been successfully reported, such as La2 @D5 (450)-C100 , Ce2 @D5 (450)-C100 , Sm2 @D3d (822)-C104 . Apart from the great effort to synthesize molecules and determine their structures, the physical and chemical properties of metallofullertubes are still waiting to be explored. In this minireview, we revisit the structures of reported metallofullertubes, and then we highlight their electronic and supramolecular properties. Finally, some perspectives for the development of metallofullertubes are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wang Li
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Molecular Nanostructure and Nanotechnology, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongguancun North First Street 2, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Chunru Wang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Molecular Nanostructure and Nanotechnology, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongguancun North First Street 2, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Taishan Wang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Molecular Nanostructure and Nanotechnology, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongguancun North First Street 2, Beijing, 100190, China
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6
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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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7
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Yao X, Vonesch M, Combes M, Weiss J, Sun X, Lacroix JC. Single-Molecule Junctions with Highly Improved Stability. NANO LETTERS 2021; 21:6540-6548. [PMID: 34286999 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.1c01747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Single-molecule junctions (SMJs) have been fabricated using layers generated by diazonium electroreduction. This process creates a C-Au covalent bond between the molecule and the electrode. Rigid oligomers of variable length, based on porphyrin derivatives in their free base or cobalt complex forms, have been grafted on the surface. The conductance of the oligomers has been studied by a scanning tunneling microscopy break junction (STM-bj) technique and G(t) measurements, and the lifetime of the SMJs has been investigated. The conductance histograms indicate that charge transport in the porphyrins is relatively efficient and influenced by the presence of the cobalt center. With both systems, random telegraph G(t) signals are easily recorded, showing SMJ on/off states. The SMJs then stabilize and exhibit a surprisingly long lifetime around 10 s, and attenuation plots, obtained by both G(t) and STM-bj measurements, give identical values. This work shows that highly stable SMJs can be prepared using a diazonium grafting approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinlei Yao
- ITODYS, CNRS-UMR 7086, Université de Paris, 15 rue Jean-Antoine de Baïf, 75205 Paris Cedex 13, France
| | - Maxime Vonesch
- Institut de Chimie de Strasbourg, CNRS-UMR 7177, Université de Strasbourg, 4 rue Blaise Pascal, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Maïwenn Combes
- Institut de Chimie de Strasbourg, CNRS-UMR 7177, Université de Strasbourg, 4 rue Blaise Pascal, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Jean Weiss
- Institut de Chimie de Strasbourg, CNRS-UMR 7177, Université de Strasbourg, 4 rue Blaise Pascal, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Xiaonan Sun
- ITODYS, CNRS-UMR 7086, Université de Paris, 15 rue Jean-Antoine de Baïf, 75205 Paris Cedex 13, France
| | - Jean-Christophe Lacroix
- ITODYS, CNRS-UMR 7086, Université de Paris, 15 rue Jean-Antoine de Baïf, 75205 Paris Cedex 13, France
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8
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O'Driscoll LJ, Bryce MR. A review of oligo(arylene ethynylene) derivatives in molecular junctions. NANOSCALE 2021; 13:10668-10711. [PMID: 34110337 DOI: 10.1039/d1nr02023d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Oligo(arylene ethynylene) (OAE) derivatives are the "workhorse" molecules of molecular electronics. Their ease of synthesis and flexibility of functionalisation mean that a diverse array of OAE molecular wires have been designed, synthesised and studied theoretically and experimentally in molecular junctions using both single-molecule and ensemble methods. This review summarises the breadth of molecular designs that have been investigated with emphasis on structure-property relationships with respect to the electronic conductance of OAEs. The factors considered include molecular length, connectivity, conjugation, (anti)aromaticity, heteroatom effects and quantum interference (QI). Growing interest in the thermoelectric properties of OAE derivatives, which are expected to be at the forefront of research into organic thermoelectric devices, is also explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke J O'Driscoll
- Department of Chemistry, Durham University, Lower Mountjoy, Stockton Road, Durham, UKDH1 3LE.
| | - Martin R Bryce
- Department of Chemistry, Durham University, Lower Mountjoy, Stockton Road, Durham, UKDH1 3LE.
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9
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Wang YH, Yan F, Li DF, Xi YF, Cao R, Zheng JF, Shao Y, Jin S, Chen JZ, Zhou XS. Enhanced Gating Performance of Single-Molecule Conductance by Heterocyclic Molecules. J Phys Chem Lett 2021; 12:758-763. [PMID: 33405930 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.0c03430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Enhancing the gating performance of single-molecule conductance is significant for realizing molecular transistors. Herein, we report a new strategy to improve the electrochemical gating efficiency of single-molecule conductance with fused molecular structures consisting of heterocyclic rings of furan, thiophene, or selenophene. One order magnitude of gating ratio is achieved within a potential window of 1.2 V for the selenophene-based molecule, which is significantly greater than that of other heterocyclic and benzene ring molecules. This is caused by the different electronic structures of heterocyclic molecules and transmission coefficients T(E), and preliminary resonance tunneling is achieved through the highest occupied molecular orbital at high potential. The current work experimentally shows that electrochemical gating performance can be significantly modulated by the alignment of the conducting orbital of the heterocyclic molecule relative to the metal Fermi energy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Hao Wang
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Advanced Catalysis Materials, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, China
| | - Feng Yan
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Dong-Fang Li
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Advanced Catalysis Materials, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, China
- Santen Pharmaceutical (China) Co., Ltd., Suzhou 215026, China
| | - Yan-Feng Xi
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Rui Cao
- Department of Physics, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Ju-Fang Zheng
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Advanced Catalysis Materials, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, China
| | - Yong Shao
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Advanced Catalysis Materials, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, China
| | - Shan Jin
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Jing-Zhe Chen
- Department of Physics, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Xiao-Shun Zhou
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Advanced Catalysis Materials, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, China
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10
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Ortega M, Vilhena JG, Zotti LA, Díez-Pérez I, Cuevas JC, Pérez R. Tuning Structure and Dynamics of Blue Copper Azurin Junctions via Single Amino-Acid Mutations. Biomolecules 2019; 9:biom9100611. [PMID: 31618974 PMCID: PMC6843909 DOI: 10.3390/biom9100611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Revised: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In the growing field of biomolecular electronics, blue-copper Azurin stands out as one of the most widely studied protein in single-molecule contacts. Interestingly, despite the paramount importance of the structure/dynamics of molecular contacts in their transport properties, these factors remain largely unexplored from the theoretical point of view in the context of single Azurin junctions. Here we address this issue using all-atom Molecular Dynamics (MD) of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Azurin adsorbed to a Au(111) substrate. In particular, we focus on the structure and dynamics of the free/adsorbed protein and how these properties are altered upon single-point mutations. The results revealed that wild-type Azurin adsorbs on Au(111) along two well defined configurations: one tethered via cysteine groups and the other via the hydrophobic pocket surrounding the Cu 2 + . Surprisingly, our simulations revealed that single amino-acid mutations gave rise to a quenching of protein vibrations ultimately resulting in its overall stiffening. Given the role of amino-acid vibrations and reorientation in the dehydration process at the protein-water-substrate interface, we suggest that this might have an effect on the adsorption process of the mutant, giving rise to new adsorption configurations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Ortega
- Departamento de Física Teórica de la Materia Condensada, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, E-28049 Madrid, Spain.
| | - J G Vilhena
- Departamento de Física Teórica de la Materia Condensada, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, E-28049 Madrid, Spain.
- Department of Physics, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 82, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Linda A Zotti
- Departamento de Física Teórica de la Materia Condensada, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, E-28049 Madrid, Spain.
- Condensed Matter Physics Center (IFIMAC), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, E-28049 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Ismael Díez-Pérez
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural & Mathematical Sciences, King's College London, Britannia House, 7 Trinity Street, London SE1 1DB, UK.
| | - Juan Carlos Cuevas
- Departamento de Física Teórica de la Materia Condensada, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, E-28049 Madrid, Spain.
- Condensed Matter Physics Center (IFIMAC), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, E-28049 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Rubén Pérez
- Departamento de Física Teórica de la Materia Condensada, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, E-28049 Madrid, Spain.
- Condensed Matter Physics Center (IFIMAC), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, E-28049 Madrid, Spain.
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11
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Single-molecule level control of host-guest interactions in metallocycle-C 60 complexes. Nat Commun 2019; 10:4599. [PMID: 31601813 PMCID: PMC6787074 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-12534-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2018] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Host−guest interactions are of central importance in many biological and chemical processes. However, the investigation of the formation and decomplexation of host−guest systems at the single-molecule level has been a challenging task. Here we show that the single-molecule conductance of organoplatinum(II) metallocycle hosts can be enhanced by an order of magnitude by the incorporation of a C60 guest molecule. Mechanically stretching the metallocycle-C60 junction with a scanning tunneling microscopy break junction technique causes the release of the C60 guest from the metallocycle, and consequently the conductance switches back to the free-host level. Metallocycle hosts with different shapes and cavity sizes show different degrees of flexibility to accommodate the C60 guest in response to mechanical stretching. DFT calculations provide further insights into the electronic structures and charge transport properties of the molecular junctions based on metallocycles and the metallocycle-C60 complexes. Studying the single-molecule behavior of host-guest complexes can provide fundamental insights into their supramolecular interactions. Here, the authors use the scanning tunneling microscopy break junction technique to show that encapsulation of a C60 molecule significantly enhances the conductance of an organoplatinum metallocycle; mechanical stretching of the junction releases the guest, returning the conductance to free-host level.
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12
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Romero-Muñiz C, Ortega M, Vilhena JG, Diéz-Pérez I, Cuevas JC, Pérez R, Zotti LA. Mechanical Deformation and Electronic Structure of a Blue Copper Azurin in a Solid-State Junction. Biomolecules 2019; 9:biom9090506. [PMID: 31546917 PMCID: PMC6769874 DOI: 10.3390/biom9090506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Revised: 09/14/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein-based electronics is an emerging field which has attracted considerable attention over the past decade. Here, we present a theoretical study of the formation and electronic structure of a metal-protein-metal junction based on the blue-copper azurin from pseudomonas aeruginosa. We focus on the case in which the protein is adsorbed on a gold surface and is contacted, at the opposite side, to an STM (Scanning Tunneling Microscopy) tip by spontaneous attachment. This has been simulated through a combination of molecular dynamics and density functional theory. We find that the attachment to the tip induces structural changes in the protein which, however, do not affect the overall electronic properties of the protein. Indeed, only changes in certain residues are observed, whereas the electronic structure of the Cu-centered complex remains unaltered, as does the total density of states of the whole protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Romero-Muñiz
- Departamento de Física Teórica de la Materia Condensada, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, E-28049 Madrid, Spain.
| | - María Ortega
- Departamento de Física Teórica de la Materia Condensada, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, E-28049 Madrid, Spain.
| | - J G Vilhena
- Department of Physics, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 82, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Ismael Diéz-Pérez
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural & Mathematical Sciences, King's College London, Britannia House, 7 Trinity Street, London SE1 1DB, UK.
| | - Juan Carlos Cuevas
- Departamento de Física Teórica de la Materia Condensada, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, E-28049 Madrid, Spain.
- Condensed Matter Physics Center (IFIMAC), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, E-28049 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Rubén Pérez
- Departamento de Física Teórica de la Materia Condensada, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, E-28049 Madrid, Spain.
- Condensed Matter Physics Center (IFIMAC), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, E-28049 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Linda A Zotti
- Departamento de Física Teórica de la Materia Condensada, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, E-28049 Madrid, Spain.
- Condensed Matter Physics Center (IFIMAC), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, E-28049 Madrid, Spain.
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13
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Jasper-Tönnies T, Garcia-Lekue A, Frederiksen T, Ulrich S, Herges R, Berndt R. High-conductance contacts to functionalized molecular platforms physisorbed on Au(1 1 1). JOURNAL OF PHYSICS. CONDENSED MATTER : AN INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS JOURNAL 2019; 31:18LT01. [PMID: 30721893 DOI: 10.1088/1361-648x/ab0489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The conductances of molecules physisorbed to Au(1 1 1) via an extended [Formula: see text] system are probed with the tip of a low-temperature scanning tunneling microscope to maximize the control of the junction geometry. Inert hydrogen, methyl, and reactive propynyl subunits were attached to the platform and stand upright. Because of their different reactivities, either non-bonding (hydrogen and methyl) or bonding (propynyl) tip-molecule contacts are formed. The conductances exhibit little scatter between different experimental runs on different molecules, display distinct evolutions with the tip-subunit distance, and reach contact values of 0.003-0.05 G 0. For equal tip-platform distances the contact conductance of the inert methyl is close to that of the reactive propynyl. Under further compression, the inert species, hydrogen and methyl, are found to be better conductors. This shows that the current flow is not directly correlated with the chemical interaction. Atomistic calculations for the methyl case reproduce the conductance evolution and reveal the role of the junction geometry, forces and orbital symmetries at the tip-molecule interface. The current flow is controlled by orbital symmetries at the electrode interfaces rather than by the energy alignment of the molecular orbitals and electrode states. Functionalized molecular platforms thus open new ways to control and engineer electron conduction through metal-molecule interfaces at the atomic level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Torben Jasper-Tönnies
- Institut für Experimentelle und Angewandte Physik, Christian-Albrechts-Universität, 24098 Kiel, Germany
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14
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Abstract
The measured electronic properties of proteins are known to depend critically on contacts, although little is known at the single-molecule level. Here, we have measured the conductance of single-protein molecules in their natural aqueous environment, but in conditions where no ion current flows, finding large conductances (nanosiemens) over long paths (many nanometers) when the protein is tethered by chemical contacts formed by binding-specific ligands. This provides a method for forming reliable contacts to proteins, and for the specific detection of single molecules. Thus, single antibodies, such as anti-Ebola IgG, can be detected electrically when they bind a peptide epitope tethered to electrodes, with no background signal from molecules that do not bind specifically. Proteins are widely regarded as insulators, despite reports of electrical conductivity. Here we use measurements of single proteins between electrodes, in their natural aqueous environment to show that the factor controlling measured conductance is the nature of the electrical contact to the protein, and that specific ligands make highly selective electrical contacts. Using six proteins that lack known electrochemical activity, and measuring in a potential region where no ion current flows, we find characteristic peaks in the distributions of measured single-molecule conductances. These peaks depend on the contact chemistry, and hence, on the current path through the protein. In consequence, the measured conductance distribution is sensitive to changes in this path caused by ligand binding, as shown with streptavidin–biotin complexes. Measured conductances are on the order of nanosiemens over distances of many nanometers, orders of magnitude more than could be accounted for by electron tunneling. The current is dominated by contact resistance, so the conductance for a given path is independent of the distance between electrodes, as long as the contact points on the protein can span the gap between electrodes. While there is no currently known biological role for high electronic conductance, its dependence on specific contacts has important technological implications, because no current is observed at all without at least one strongly bonded contact, so direct electrical detection is a highly selective and label-free single-molecule detection method. We demonstrate single-molecule, highly specific, label- and background free-electronic detection of IgG antibodies to HIV and Ebola viruses.
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15
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Liu B, Tsutsui M, Taniguchi M. Measuring Single-Molecule Conductance at An Ultra-Low Molecular Concentration in Vacuum. MICROMACHINES 2018; 9:mi9060282. [PMID: 30424215 PMCID: PMC6187610 DOI: 10.3390/mi9060282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2018] [Revised: 05/28/2018] [Accepted: 05/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
We report on systematic investigation of single-molecule detection mechanisms in break junction experiments in vacuum. We found molecular feature in the conductance traces at an extremely low concentration of molecules of 10 nM. This was attributed to condensation of the molecular solution on the junction surface upon evaporation of the solvent during evacuation. Furthermore, statistical analyses of the temporal dependence of molecular junction formation probabilities suggested accumulation effects of the contact mechanics to concentrate molecules absorbed on a remote area to the tunneling current sensing zone, which also contributed to the capability of molecular detections at the low concentration condition. The present findings can be used as a useful guide to implement break junction measurements for studying electron and heat transport through single molecules in vacuum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Liu
- The Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research, Osaka University, 8-1 Mihogaoka, Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0047, Japan.
| | - Makusu Tsutsui
- The Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research, Osaka University, 8-1 Mihogaoka, Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0047, Japan.
| | - Masateru Taniguchi
- The Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research, Osaka University, 8-1 Mihogaoka, Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0047, Japan.
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16
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Herrer L, Sebastian V, Martín S, González-Orive A, Pérez-Murano F, Low PJ, Serrano JL, Santamaría J, Cea P. High surface coverage of a self-assembled monolayer by in situ synthesis of palladium nanodeposits. NANOSCALE 2017; 9:13281-13290. [PMID: 28858363 DOI: 10.1039/c7nr03365f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Nascent metal|monolayer|metal devices have been fabricated by depositing palladium, produced through a CO-confined growth method, onto a self-assembled monolayer of an amine-terminated oligo(phenylene ethynylene) derivative on a gold bottom electrode. The high surface area coverage (85%) of the organic monolayer by densely packed palladium particles was confirmed by X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The electrical properties of these nascent Au|monolayer|Pd assemblies were determined from the I-V curves recorded with a conductive-AFM using the Peak Force Tunneling AFM (PF-TUNA™) mode. The I-V curves together with the electrochemical experiments performed rule out the formation of short-circuits due to palladium penetration through the monolayer, suggesting that the palladium deposition strategy is an effective method for the fabrication of molecular junctions without damaging the organic layer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucía Herrer
- Instituto de Nanociencia de Aragón (INA), Campus Río Ebro, Universidad de Zaragoza, C/Mariano Esquillor, s/n, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain. and Laboratorio de Microscopias Avanzadas (LMA), Campus Río Ebro, Universidad de Zaragoza, C/Mariano Esquilor, s/n, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain and Departamento de Química Física, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Victor Sebastian
- Instituto de Nanociencia de Aragón (INA), Campus Río Ebro, Universidad de Zaragoza, C/Mariano Esquillor, s/n, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain. and Networking Biomedical Research Center of Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), C/ Monforte de Lemos 3-5, Pabellón 11, 28029 Madrid, Spain and Departamento de Ingeniería Química y Tecnología del Medio Ambiente, Universidad de Zaragoza, C/Mariano Esquilor, s/n, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Santiago Martín
- Departamento de Química Física, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain and Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Aragón (ICMA), Universidad de Zaragoza-CSIC, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Alejandro González-Orive
- Instituto de Nanociencia de Aragón (INA), Campus Río Ebro, Universidad de Zaragoza, C/Mariano Esquillor, s/n, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain. and Laboratorio de Microscopias Avanzadas (LMA), Campus Río Ebro, Universidad de Zaragoza, C/Mariano Esquilor, s/n, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain and Departamento de Química Física, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Francesc Pérez-Murano
- Instituto de Microelectrónica de Barcelona (IMB-CNM, CSIC), Campus UAB, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Paul J Low
- School of Molecular Sciences, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Perth 6009, Australia
| | - José Luis Serrano
- Instituto de Nanociencia de Aragón (INA), Campus Río Ebro, Universidad de Zaragoza, C/Mariano Esquillor, s/n, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain. and Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Jesús Santamaría
- Instituto de Nanociencia de Aragón (INA), Campus Río Ebro, Universidad de Zaragoza, C/Mariano Esquillor, s/n, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain. and Networking Biomedical Research Center of Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), C/ Monforte de Lemos 3-5, Pabellón 11, 28029 Madrid, Spain and Departamento de Ingeniería Química y Tecnología del Medio Ambiente, Universidad de Zaragoza, C/Mariano Esquilor, s/n, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Pilar Cea
- Instituto de Nanociencia de Aragón (INA), Campus Río Ebro, Universidad de Zaragoza, C/Mariano Esquillor, s/n, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain. and Laboratorio de Microscopias Avanzadas (LMA), Campus Río Ebro, Universidad de Zaragoza, C/Mariano Esquilor, s/n, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain and Departamento de Química Física, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain
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17
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The DFT-NEGF scrutiny of doped fullerene junctions. J Mol Model 2017; 23:221. [PMID: 28702804 DOI: 10.1007/s00894-017-3405-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2017] [Accepted: 06/28/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Using the smallest non-classical fullerene, we investigate the impact of doping at the molecule-electrode interface on the electron transport of molecular junctions. This is accomplished by employing the density functional theory combined with the non-equilibrium Green's function. We contemplate different electronic parameters, namely, density of states, transmission coefficient, energy levels, molecular orbitals, conduction gaps, electron density, and their charge transfer. The relevance of these physical parameters is obtained to calculate their electrical parameters, current, and conductance, computed from Landauer-Büttiker formalism. The molecule-electrode coupling is influenced by the nature of doping atoms and affects the junction devices in a unique course. A particular aftermath is noticed in Au-C18O2-Au device with highest ballistic transport despite the electro-negative nature of oxygen atoms. Moreover, an interesting feature is observed in Au-C18Be2-Au device with double-barrier transmission resonance and corresponding oscillating conductance. Graphical abstract The doped C20 fullerene in molecular and device mode.
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18
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O'Driscoll LJ, Hamill JM, Grace I, Nielsen BW, Almutib E, Fu Y, Hong W, Lambert CJ, Jeppesen JO. Electrochemical control of the single molecule conductance of a conjugated bis(pyrrolo)tetrathiafulvalene based molecular switch. Chem Sci 2017; 8:6123-6130. [PMID: 28989642 PMCID: PMC5625590 DOI: 10.1039/c7sc02037f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2017] [Accepted: 06/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The single molecule conductance of a conjugated molecular wire is electrochemically switched upon oxidising or reducing a central bispyrrolotetrathiafulvalene unit.
As the field of unimolecular electronics develops, there is growing interest in the development of functionalised molecular wires, such as switches, which will allow for more complex molecular-scale circuits. To this end, a three redox state single molecule switch, 1, based on bis(pyrrolo)tetrathiafulvalene (BPTTF) has been designed, synthesised and investigated using scanning tunnelling microscopy break junction (STM-BJ) studies and quantum transport calculations. Oxidising the BPTTF unit increases its conjugation, which was anticipated to increase the molecular conductance of 1. By changing the redox state of 1 electrochemically it was possible to vary the single molecule conductance by more than an order of magnitude (from 10–5.2G0 to 10–3.8G0). Simulations afforded a qualitatively similar trend. An additional, higher conductance feature is present in most traces at junction sizes of around 2.0 nm – further extension affords the switchable lower conductance feature at junction sizes closer to the molecular length (ca. 3.0 nm). Analysis of the conductance traces shows that these two conductance features occur sequentially in nearly all junctions. This behaviour is attributed to an alternative initial junction conformation in which one or more of the BPTTF sulfur atoms acts as an anchoring group. This hypothesis is supported by a computational study of binding conformations and STM-BJ studies on a model compound, 2, with only one thiol anchor. Our results indicate that the redox properties of BPTTF make it an excellent candidate for use in single molecule switches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke J O'Driscoll
- Department of Physics , Chemistry and Pharmacy , University of Southern Denmark , Campusvej 55 , DK-5230 , Odense M , Denmark .
| | - Joseph M Hamill
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry , University of Bern , Freiestrasse 3 , CH-3012 , Bern , Switzerland .
| | - Iain Grace
- Department of Physics , Lancaster University , Lancaster , LA1 4YB , UK .
| | - Bodil W Nielsen
- Department of Physics , Chemistry and Pharmacy , University of Southern Denmark , Campusvej 55 , DK-5230 , Odense M , Denmark .
| | - Eman Almutib
- Department of Physics , Lancaster University , Lancaster , LA1 4YB , UK .
| | - Yongchun Fu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry , University of Bern , Freiestrasse 3 , CH-3012 , Bern , Switzerland .
| | - Wenjing Hong
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry , University of Bern , Freiestrasse 3 , CH-3012 , Bern , Switzerland .
| | - Colin J Lambert
- Department of Physics , Lancaster University , Lancaster , LA1 4YB , UK .
| | - Jan O Jeppesen
- Department of Physics , Chemistry and Pharmacy , University of Southern Denmark , Campusvej 55 , DK-5230 , Odense M , Denmark .
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19
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Jiménez-Monroy KL, Renaud N, Drijkoningen J, Cortens D, Schouteden K, van Haesendonck C, Guedens WJ, Manca JV, Siebbeles LDA, Grozema FC, Wagner PH. High Electronic Conductance through Double-Helix DNA Molecules with Fullerene Anchoring Groups. J Phys Chem A 2017; 121:1182-1188. [PMID: 28094940 PMCID: PMC5330649 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.7b00348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
![]()
Determining
the mechanism of charge transport through native DNA
remains a challenge as different factors such as measuring conditions,
molecule conformations, and choice of technique can significantly
affect the final results. In this contribution, we have used a new
approach to measure current flowing through isolated double-stranded
DNA molecules, using fullerene groups to anchor the DNA to a gold
substrate. Measurements were performed at room temperature in an inert
environment using a conductive AFM technique. It is shown that the
π-stacked B-DNA structure is conserved on depositing the DNA.
As a result, currents in the nanoampere range were obtained for voltages
ranging between ±1 V. These experimental results are supported
by a theoretical model that suggests that a multistep hopping mechanism
between delocalized domains is responsible for the long-range current
flow through this specific type of DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathia L Jiménez-Monroy
- IMO-IMOMEC, Hasselt University , Campus Diepenbeek, Wetenschapspark 1, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Nicolas Renaud
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology , Julianalaan 136, 2628 BL Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Jeroen Drijkoningen
- IMO-IMOMEC, Hasselt University , Campus Diepenbeek, Wetenschapspark 1, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium.,IMO & X-LaB, Agoralaan Building D, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - David Cortens
- IMO-IMOMEC, Hasselt University , Campus Diepenbeek, Wetenschapspark 1, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | | | | | - Wanda J Guedens
- IMO-IMOMEC, Hasselt University , Campus Diepenbeek, Wetenschapspark 1, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Jean V Manca
- IMO-IMOMEC, Hasselt University , Campus Diepenbeek, Wetenschapspark 1, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium.,IMO & X-LaB, Agoralaan Building D, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Laurens D A Siebbeles
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology , Julianalaan 136, 2628 BL Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Ferdinand C Grozema
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology , Julianalaan 136, 2628 BL Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Patrick H Wagner
- IMO-IMOMEC, Hasselt University , Campus Diepenbeek, Wetenschapspark 1, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
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20
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21
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Xiang D, Wang X, Jia C, Lee T, Guo X. Molecular-Scale Electronics: From Concept to Function. Chem Rev 2016; 116:4318-440. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.5b00680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 816] [Impact Index Per Article: 102.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Dong Xiang
- Beijing
National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory for
Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, College of Chemistry
and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Key
Laboratory of Optical Information Science and Technology, Institute
of Modern Optics, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Xiaolong Wang
- Beijing
National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory for
Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, College of Chemistry
and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Chuancheng Jia
- Beijing
National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory for
Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, College of Chemistry
and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Takhee Lee
- Department
of Physics and Astronomy, and Institute of Applied Physics, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Xuefeng Guo
- Beijing
National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory for
Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, College of Chemistry
and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
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22
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Valášek M, Lindner M, Mayor M. Rigid multipodal platforms for metal surfaces. BEILSTEIN JOURNAL OF NANOTECHNOLOGY 2016; 7:374-405. [PMID: 27335731 PMCID: PMC4901557 DOI: 10.3762/bjnano.7.34] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2015] [Accepted: 02/17/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
In this review the recent progress in molecular platforms that form rigid and well-defined contact to a metal surface are discussed. Most of the presented examples have at least three anchoring units in order to control the spatial arrangement of the protruding molecular subunit. Another interesting feature is the lateral orientation of these foot structures which, depending on the particular application, is equally important as the spatial arrangement of the molecules. The numerous approaches towards assembling and organizing functional molecules into specific architectures on metal substrates are reviewed here. Particular attention is paid to variations of both, the core structures and the anchoring groups. Furthermore, the analytical methods enabling the investigation of individual molecules as well as monomolecular layers of ordered platform structures are summarized. The presented multipodal platforms bearing several anchoring groups form considerably more stable molecule-metal contacts than corresponding monopodal analogues and exhibit an enlarged separation of the functional molecules due to the increased footprint, as well as restrict tilting of the functional termini with respect to the metal surface. These platforms are thus ideally suited to tune important properties of the molecule-metal interface. On a single-molecule level, several of these platforms enable the control over the arrangement of the protruding rod-type molecular structures (e.g., molecular wires, switches, rotors, sensors) with respect to the surface of the substrate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Valášek
- Institute of Nanotechnology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, D-76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Marcin Lindner
- Institute of Nanotechnology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, D-76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Marcel Mayor
- Institute of Nanotechnology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, D-76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
- Lehn Institute of Functional Materials (LIFM), Sun Yat-Sen University (SYSU), Xingang Rd. W., Guangzhou, China
- Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, St. Johannsring 19, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland
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23
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Fingerprinting Electronic Molecular Complexes in Liquid. Sci Rep 2016; 6:19009. [PMID: 26743542 PMCID: PMC4705545 DOI: 10.1038/srep19009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2015] [Accepted: 12/02/2015] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Predicting the electronic framework of an organic molecule under practical conditions is essential if the molecules are to be wired in a realistic circuit. This demands a clear description of the molecular energy levels and dynamics as it adapts to the feedback from its evolving chemical environment and the surface topology. Here, we address this issue by monitoring in real-time the structural stability and intrinsic molecular resonance states of fullerene (C60)-based hybrid molecules in the presence of the solvent. Energetic levels of C60 hybrids are resolved by in situ scanning tunnelling spectroscopy with an energy resolution in the order of 0.1 eV at room-temperature. An ultra-thin organic spacer layer serves to limit contact metal-molecule energy overlap. The measured molecular conductance gap spread is statistically benchmarked against first principles electronic structure calculations and used to quantify the diversity in electronic species within a standard population of molecules. These findings provide important progress towards understanding conduction mechanisms at a single-molecular level and in serving as useful guidelines for rational design of robust nanoscale devices based on functional organic molecules.
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24
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Sadeghi H, Sangtarash S, Al-Galiby Q, Sparks R, Bailey S, Lambert CJ. Negative differential electrical resistance of a rotational organic nanomotor. BEILSTEIN JOURNAL OF NANOTECHNOLOGY 2015; 6:2332-7. [PMID: 26734524 PMCID: PMC4685900 DOI: 10.3762/bjnano.6.240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2015] [Accepted: 11/22/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
A robust, nanoelectromechanical switch is proposed based upon an asymmetric pendant moiety anchored to an organic backbone between two C60 fullerenes, which in turn are connected to gold electrodes. Ab initio density functional calculations are used to demonstrate that an electric field induces rotation of the pendant group, leading to a nonlinear current-voltage relation. The nonlinearity is strong enough to lead to negative differential resistance at modest source-drain voltages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hatef Sadeghi
- Quantum Technology Centre, Department of Physics, Lancaster University, LA1 4YB Lancaster, UK
| | - Sara Sangtarash
- Quantum Technology Centre, Department of Physics, Lancaster University, LA1 4YB Lancaster, UK
| | - Qusiy Al-Galiby
- Quantum Technology Centre, Department of Physics, Lancaster University, LA1 4YB Lancaster, UK
| | - Rachel Sparks
- Quantum Technology Centre, Department of Physics, Lancaster University, LA1 4YB Lancaster, UK
| | - Steven Bailey
- Quantum Technology Centre, Department of Physics, Lancaster University, LA1 4YB Lancaster, UK
| | - Colin J Lambert
- Quantum Technology Centre, Department of Physics, Lancaster University, LA1 4YB Lancaster, UK
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25
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Kitaguchi Y, Habuka S, Okuyama H, Hatta S, Aruga T, Frederiksen T, Paulsson M, Ueba H. Controlled switching of single-molecule junctions by mechanical motion of a phenyl ring. BEILSTEIN JOURNAL OF NANOTECHNOLOGY 2015; 6:2088-95. [PMID: 26665080 PMCID: PMC4660945 DOI: 10.3762/bjnano.6.213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2015] [Accepted: 10/21/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Mechanical methods for single-molecule control have potential for wide application in nanodevices and machines. Here we demonstrate the operation of a single-molecule switch made functional by the motion of a phenyl ring, analogous to the lever in a conventional toggle switch. The switch can be actuated by dual triggers, either by a voltage pulse or by displacement of the electrode, and electronic manipulation of the ring by chemical substitution enables rational control of the on-state conductance. Owing to its simple mechanics, structural robustness, and chemical accessibility, we propose that phenyl rings are promising components in mechanical molecular devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuya Kitaguchi
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, 606-8502 Kyoto, Japan
| | - Satoru Habuka
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, 606-8502 Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Okuyama
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, 606-8502 Kyoto, Japan
| | - Shinichiro Hatta
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, 606-8502 Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Aruga
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, 606-8502 Kyoto, Japan
| | - Thomas Frederiksen
- Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC), 20018 San Sebastián, Spain
- IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, 48013 Bilbao, Spain
| | - Magnus Paulsson
- School of Computer Science, Physics and Mathematics, Linnaeus University, 391 82 Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Hiromu Ueba
- Division of Nano and New Functional Materials Science, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, University of Toyama, 930-8555 Toyama, Japan
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26
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Kaletová E, Kohutová A, Hajduch J, Kaleta J, Bastl Z, Pospíšil L, Stibor I, Magnera TF, Michl J. The Scope of Direct Alkylation of Gold Surface with Solutions of C1-C4 n-Alkylstannanes. J Am Chem Soc 2015; 137:12086-99. [PMID: 26327466 PMCID: PMC4704782 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.5b07672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Treatment of cleaned gold surfaces with dilute tetrahydrofuran or chloroform solutions of tetraalkylstannanes (alkyl = methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl) or di-n-butylmethylstannyl tosylate under ambient conditions causes a self-limited growth of disordered monolayers consisting of alkyls and tin oxide. Extensive use of deuterium labeling showed that the alkyls originate from the stannane and not from ambient impurities, and that trialkylstannyl groups are absent in the monolayers, contrary to previous proposals. Methyl groups attached to the Sn atom are not transferred to the surface. Ethyl groups are transferred slowly, and propyl and butyl rapidly. In all cases, tin oxide is codeposited in submonolayer amounts. The monolayers were characterized by ellipsometry, contact angle goniometry, polarization modulated IR reflection absorption spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy with ferrocyanide/ferricyanide, which revealed a very low charge-transfer resistance. The thermal stability of the monolayers and their resistance to solvents are comparable with those of an n-octadecanethiol monolayer. A preliminary examination of the kinetics of monolayer deposition from a THF solution of tetra-n-butylstannane revealed an approximately half-order dependence on the bulk solution concentration of the stannane, hinting that more than one alkyl can be transferred from a single stannane molecule. A detailed structure of the attachment of the alkyl groups is not known, and it is proposed that it involves direct single or multiple bonding of one or more C atoms to one or more Au atoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Kaletová
- Institute
of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy
of Sciences of the Czech Republic, 16610 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Anna Kohutová
- Institute
of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy
of Sciences of the Czech Republic, 16610 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Hajduch
- Institute
of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy
of Sciences of the Czech Republic, 16610 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Kaleta
- Institute
of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy
of Sciences of the Czech Republic, 16610 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Zdeněk Bastl
- J.
Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, 18223 Prague 8, Czech Republic
| | - Lubomír Pospíšil
- J.
Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, 18223 Prague 8, Czech Republic
| | - Ivan Stibor
- Institute
of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy
of Sciences of the Czech Republic, 16610 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Thomas F. Magnera
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0215, United States
| | - Josef Michl
- Institute
of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy
of Sciences of the Czech Republic, 16610 Prague 6, Czech Republic
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0215, United States
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27
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Obersteiner V, Egger D, Zojer E. Impact of Anchoring Groups on Ballistic Transport: Single Molecule vs Monolayer Junctions. THE JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY. C, NANOMATERIALS AND INTERFACES 2015; 119:21198-21208. [PMID: 26401191 PMCID: PMC4568541 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcc.5b06110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2015] [Revised: 07/31/2015] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Tuning the transport properties of molecular junctions by chemically modifying the molecular structure is one of the key challenges for advancing the field of molecular electronics. In the present contribution, we investigate current-voltage characteristics of differently linked metal-molecule-metal systems that comprise either a single molecule or a molecular assembly. This is achieved by employing density functional theory in conjunction with a Green's function approach. We show that the conductance of a molecular system with a specific anchoring group is fundamentally different depending on whether a single molecule or a continuous monolayer forms the junction. This is a consequence of collective electrostatic effects that arise from dipolar elements contained in the monolayer and from interfacial charge rearrangements. As a consequence of these collective effects, the "ideal" choice for an anchoring group is clearly different for monolayer and single molecule devices. A particularly striking effect is observed for pyridine-docked systems. These are subject to Fermi-level pinning at high molecular packing densities, causing an abrupt increase of the junction current already at small voltages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Obersteiner
- Institute
of Solid State Physics, NAWI Graz, Graz
University of Technology, Petersgasse 16, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - David
A. Egger
- Institute
of Solid State Physics, NAWI Graz, Graz
University of Technology, Petersgasse 16, 8010 Graz, Austria
- Department
of Materials and Interfaces, Weizmann Institute
of Science, Rehovoth 76100, Israel
| | - Egbert Zojer
- Institute
of Solid State Physics, NAWI Graz, Graz
University of Technology, Petersgasse 16, 8010 Graz, Austria
- E-mail:
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28
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Inkpen MS, Lemmer M, Fitzpatrick N, Milan DC, Nichols RJ, Long NJ, Albrecht T. New Insights into Single-Molecule Junctions Using a Robust, Unsupervised Approach to Data Collection and Analysis. J Am Chem Soc 2015; 137:9971-81. [DOI: 10.1021/jacs.5b05693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael S. Inkpen
- Department
of Chemistry, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, U.K
| | - Mario Lemmer
- Department
of Chemistry, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, U.K
| | | | - David C. Milan
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZD, U.K
| | - Richard J. Nichols
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZD, U.K
| | - Nicholas J. Long
- Department
of Chemistry, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, U.K
| | - Tim Albrecht
- Department
of Chemistry, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, U.K
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29
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Kotiuga M, Darancet P, Arroyo CR, Venkataraman L, Neaton JB. Adsorption-Induced Solvent-Based Electrostatic Gating of Charge Transport through Molecular Junctions. NANO LETTERS 2015; 15:4498-4503. [PMID: 26066095 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.5b00990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Recent experiments have shown that transport properties of molecular-scale devices can be reversibly altered by the surrounding solvent. Here, we use a combination of first-principles calculations and experiment to explain this change in transport properties through a shift in the local electrostatic potential at the junction caused by nearby conducting and solvent molecules chemically bound to the electrodes. This effect is found to alter the conductance of 4,4'-bipyridine-gold junctions by more than 50%. Moreover, we develop a general electrostatic model that quantitatively relates the conductance and dipoles associated with the bound solvent and conducting molecules. Our work shows that solvent-induced effects can be used to control charge and energy transport at molecular-scale interfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Kotiuga
- †Department of Physics, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- ‡Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Pierre Darancet
- ‡Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- §Department of Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027, United States
| | - Carlos R Arroyo
- §Department of Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027, United States
- △Centro de Nanociencia y Nanotecnologia, Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas-ESPE, Sangolqui, P.O. Box 171-5-231B, Ecuador
| | - Latha Venkataraman
- §Department of Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027, United States
| | - Jeffrey B Neaton
- †Department of Physics, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- ‡Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- ∥Kavli Energy NanoSciences Institute at Berkeley, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
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30
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Controlling single-molecule junction conductance by molecular interactions. Sci Rep 2015; 5:11796. [PMID: 26135251 PMCID: PMC4488765 DOI: 10.1038/srep11796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2015] [Accepted: 06/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
For the rational design of single-molecular electronic devices, it is essential to understand environmental effects on the electronic properties of a working molecule. Here we investigate the impact of molecular interactions on the single-molecule conductance by accurately positioning individual molecules on the electrode. To achieve reproducible and precise conductivity measurements, we utilize relatively weak π-bonding between a phenoxy molecule and a STM-tip to form and cleave one contact to the molecule. The anchoring to the other electrode is kept stable using a chalcogen atom with strong bonding to a Cu(110) substrate. These non-destructive measurements permit us to investigate the variation in single-molecule conductance under different but controlled environmental conditions. Combined with density functional theory calculations, we clarify the role of the electrostatic field in the environmental effect that influences the molecular level alignment.
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31
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Jevric M, Petersen AU, Mansø M, Madsen AØ, Nielsen MB. Bismuth(III)-Promoted Acetylation of Thioethers into Thioacetates. European J Org Chem 2015. [DOI: 10.1002/ejoc.201500420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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32
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Nichols RJ, Higgins SJ. Single-Molecule Electronics: Chemical and Analytical Perspectives. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY (PALO ALTO, CALIF.) 2015; 8:389-417. [PMID: 26048551 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-anchem-071114-040118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
It is now possible to measure the electrical properties of single molecules using a variety of techniques including scanning probe microcopies and mechanically controlled break junctions. Such measurements can be made across a wide range of environments including ambient conditions, organic liquids, ionic liquids, aqueous solutions, electrolytes, and ultra high vacuum. This has given new insights into charge transport across molecule electrical junctions, and these experimental methods have been complemented with increasingly sophisticated theory. This article reviews progress in single-molecule electronics from a chemical perspective and discusses topics such as the molecule-surface coupling in electrical junctions, chemical control, and supramolecular interactions in junctions and gating charge transport. The article concludes with an outlook regarding chemical analysis based on single-molecule conductance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Nichols
- Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZD, United Kingdom;
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33
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Ullmann K, Coto PB, Leitherer S, Molina-Ontoria A, Martín N, Thoss M, Weber HB. Single-molecule junctions with epitaxial graphene nanoelectrodes. NANO LETTERS 2015; 15:3512-3518. [PMID: 25923590 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.5b00877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
On the way to ultraflat single-molecule junctions with transparent electrodes, we present a fabrication scheme based on epitaxial graphene nanoelectrodes. As a suitable molecule, we identified a molecular wire with fullerene anchor groups. With these two components, stable electrical characteristics could be recorded. Electrical measurements show that single-molecule junctions with graphene and with gold electrodes display a striking agreement. This motivated a hypothesis that the differential conductance spectra are rather insensitive to the electrode material. It is further corroborated by the assignment of asymmetries and spectral features to internal molecular degrees of freedom. The demonstrated open-access graphene electrodes and the electrode-insensitive molecules provide a model system that will allow for a thorough investigation of an individual single-molecule contact with additional probes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konrad Ullmann
- †Lehrstuhl für Angewandte Physik und Interdisziplinäres Zentrum für Molekulare Materialien, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Staudtstr. 7/A3, D-91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Pedro B Coto
- ‡Institut für Theoretische Physik und Interdisziplinäres Zentrum für Molekulare Materialien, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Staudtstr. 7/B2, D-91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Susanne Leitherer
- ‡Institut für Theoretische Physik und Interdisziplinäres Zentrum für Molekulare Materialien, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Staudtstr. 7/B2, D-91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Agustín Molina-Ontoria
- §Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Química, Universidad Complutense, E-28040 Madrid, Spain
- ∥IMDEA-Nanoscience, Campus de Cantoblanco, E-28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Nazario Martín
- §Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Química, Universidad Complutense, E-28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Michael Thoss
- ‡Institut für Theoretische Physik und Interdisziplinäres Zentrum für Molekulare Materialien, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Staudtstr. 7/B2, D-91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Heiko B Weber
- †Lehrstuhl für Angewandte Physik und Interdisziplinäres Zentrum für Molekulare Materialien, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Staudtstr. 7/A3, D-91058 Erlangen, Germany
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34
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Zhang XY, Shao J, Jiang SX, Wang B, Zheng Y. Structure-dependent electrical conductivity of protein: its differences between alpha-domain and beta-domain structures. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2015; 26:125702. [PMID: 25736549 DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/26/12/125702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Electron transports in the α-domain and β-domain of proteins have been comprehensively investigated. The structure-dependent electron transport of proteins has been experimentally measured and theoretically simulated, and both the theoretical and experimental results demonstrate significant differences in electrical conductivity between the α-domain and β-domain. By controlling the feedback system of the scanning tunneling microscope (STM), the conductance of a single α-domain protein hemoglobin (Hgb) and a β-domain protein superoxide dismutase enzyme (SOD) were measured, respectively. The current signal of Hgb is obviously stronger, indicating that the α-domain is more conductive. To confirm our finding, molecular orbitals of both the β-domain in SOD and α-domain in Hgb have been analyzed based on first-principles calculations. As expected, tunneling transport and hopping in the α-domain are both more efficient, indicating that it is easier for electrons to transport through the α-domain, which are in great agreement with our experimental data. In order to explain our results, molecular structures of α- and β-domains have been carefully analyzed and show that the explanation should lie in the differences in packing mode between the α-domain and β-domain. This research should be very important to application prospects in molecular electronics.
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Affiliation(s)
- X Y Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials and Technologies/Institute of Optoelectronic and Functional Composite Materials, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, People's Republic of China. Micro&Nano Physics and Mechanics Research Laboratory, School of Physic and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, People's Republic of China. Sino-French Institute of Nuclear Engineering and Technology, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, 519082, China
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35
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Moreno-García P, La Rosa A, Kolivoška V, Bermejo D, Hong W, Yoshida K, Baghernejad M, Filippone S, Broekmann P, Wandlowski T, Martín N. Charge Transport in C60-Based Dumbbell-type Molecules: Mechanically Induced Switching between Two Distinct Conductance States. J Am Chem Soc 2015; 137:2318-27. [DOI: 10.1021/ja511271e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Pavel Moreno-García
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern, Freiestrasse
3, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Andrea La Rosa
- Departamento
de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Química, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, E-28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Viliam Kolivoška
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern, Freiestrasse
3, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
- J. Heyrovský
Institute of Physical Chemistry, AS CR, v.v.i., Dolejškova
3, 18223, Prague
8, Czech Republic
| | - Daniel Bermejo
- Departamento
de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Química, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, E-28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Wenjing Hong
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern, Freiestrasse
3, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Koji Yoshida
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern, Freiestrasse
3, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Masoud Baghernejad
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern, Freiestrasse
3, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Salvatore Filippone
- Departamento
de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Química, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, E-28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Peter Broekmann
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern, Freiestrasse
3, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Wandlowski
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern, Freiestrasse
3, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Nazario Martín
- Departamento
de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Química, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, E-28040, Madrid, Spain
- IMDEA-Nanoscience, Campus Universidad Autónoma, 28049-Madrid, Spain
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36
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Wolski K, Szuwarzyński M, Zapotoczny S. A facile route to electronically conductive polyelectrolyte brushes as platforms of molecular wires. Chem Sci 2015; 6:1754-1760. [PMID: 29163874 PMCID: PMC5644116 DOI: 10.1039/c4sc04048a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2014] [Accepted: 01/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Conjugated polyelectrolyte brushes grafted from a conductive surface and forming a 1D macromolecular pathway for charge transport are synthesized.
A facile strategy for the synthesis of conjugated polyelectrolyte brushes grafted from a conductive surface is presented. Such brushes form a platform of molecular wires oriented perpendicularly to the surface, enabling efficient directional transport of charge carriers. As the synthesis of conjugated polymer brushes using chain-growth polymerization via a direct “grafting from” approach is very challenging, we developed a self-templating surface-initiated method. It is based on the formation of multimonomer template chains in the first surface-initiated polymerization step, followed by the second polymerization leading to conjugated chains in an overall ladder-like architecture. This strategy exploits the extended conformation of the surface-grafted brushes, thereby enabling alignment of the pendant polymerizable groups along the template chains. We synthesized a new bifunctional monomer and used the developed approach to obtain quaternized poly(ethynylpyridine) chains on a conductive indium tin oxide surface. A catalyst-free quaternization polymerization was for the first time used here for surface grafting. The presence of charged groups makes the obtained brushes both ionically and electronically conductive. After doping with iodine, the brushes exhibited electronic conductivity, in the direction perpendicular to the surface, as high as 10–1–100 S m–1. Tunneling AFM was used for mapping the surface conductivity and measuring the conductivity in the spectroscopic mode. The proposed synthetic strategy is very versatile as a variety of monomers with pendant polymerizable groups and various polymerization techniques may be applied, leading to platforms of molecular wires with the desired characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karol Wolski
- Jagiellonian University , Faculty of Chemistry , Ingardena 3 , 30-060 Krakow , Poland .
| | - Michał Szuwarzyński
- Jagiellonian University , Faculty of Chemistry , Ingardena 3 , 30-060 Krakow , Poland .
| | - Szczepan Zapotoczny
- Jagiellonian University , Faculty of Chemistry , Ingardena 3 , 30-060 Krakow , Poland .
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37
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Leary E, La Rosa A, González MT, Rubio-Bollinger G, Agraït N, Martín N. Incorporating single molecules into electrical circuits. The role of the chemical anchoring group. Chem Soc Rev 2015; 44:920-42. [DOI: 10.1039/c4cs00264d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Constructing electronic circuits containing singly wired molecules is at the frontier of electrical device miniaturisation. Understanding the behaviour of different anchoring groups is key to this goal because of their significant role in determining the properties of the junction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edmund Leary
- IMDEA Nanociencia
- C/Faraday 9
- 28049 Madrid
- Spain
- Depto. Física de la Materia Condensada Mod. 3-610 – Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
| | - Andrea La Rosa
- Departamento de Química Orgánica
- Facultad de Ciencias Quıímicas
- Universidad Complutense de Madrid
- Madrid
- Spain
| | | | - Gabino Rubio-Bollinger
- Depto. Física de la Materia Condensada Mod. 3-610 – Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
- 28049 Madrid
- Spain
| | - Nicolás Agraït
- IMDEA Nanociencia
- C/Faraday 9
- 28049 Madrid
- Spain
- Depto. Física de la Materia Condensada Mod. 3-610 – Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
| | - Nazario Martín
- IMDEA Nanociencia
- C/Faraday 9
- 28049 Madrid
- Spain
- Departamento de Química Orgánica
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38
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Schwarz F, Lörtscher E. Break-junctions for investigating transport at the molecular scale. JOURNAL OF PHYSICS. CONDENSED MATTER : AN INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS JOURNAL 2014; 26:474201. [PMID: 25352355 DOI: 10.1088/0953-8984/26/47/474201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Break-junctions (BJs) enable a pair of atomic-sized electrodes to be created and the relative position between them to be controlled with sub-nanometer accuracy by mechanical means-a level of microscopic control that is not yet achievable by top-down fabrication. Locally, a BJ consists of a single-atom contact, an arrangement that is ideal not only to study various types of quantum point contacts, but also to investigate transport through an individual molecule that can bridge such a junction. In this topical review, we will provide a broad overview on the field of single-molecule electronics, in which BJs serve as the main tool of investigation. To correlate the molecular structure and transport properties to gain a fundamental understanding of the underlying transport mechanisms at the molecular scale, basic experiments that systematically cover all aspects of transport by rational chemical design and tailored experiments are needed. The variety of fascinating transport mechanisms and intrinsic molecular functionalities discovered in the past range from nonlinear transport over conductance switching to quantum interference effects observable even at room temperature. Beside discussing these results, we also look at novel directions and the most recent advances in molecular electronics investigating simultaneously electronic transport and also the mechanical and thermal properties of single-molecule junctions as well as the interaction between molecules and light. Finally, we will describe the requirements for a stepwise transition from fundamental BJ experiments towards technology-relevant architectures for future nanoelectronics applications based on ultimately-scaled molecular building blocks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Schwarz
- IBM Research-Zurich, Department of Science and Technology, Säumerstrasse 4, CH-8803 Rüschlikon, Switzerland
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39
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Schwarz F, Kastlunger G, Lissel F, Riel H, Venkatesan K, Berke H, Stadler R, Lörtscher E. High-conductive organometallic molecular wires with delocalized electron systems strongly coupled to metal electrodes. NANO LETTERS 2014; 14:5932-5940. [PMID: 25233125 DOI: 10.1021/nl5029045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Besides active, functional molecular building blocks such as diodes or switches, passive components, for example, molecular wires, are required to realize molecular-scale electronics. Incorporating metal centers in the molecular backbone enables the molecular energy levels to be tuned in respect to the Fermi energy of the electrodes. Furthermore, by using more than one metal center and sp-bridging ligands, a strongly delocalized electron system is formed between these metallic "dopants", facilitating transport along the molecular backbone. Here, we study the influence of molecule-metal coupling on charge transport of dinuclear X(PP)2FeC4Fe(PP)2X molecular wires (PP = Et2PCH2CH2PEt2); X = CN (1), NCS (2), NCSe (3), C4SnMe3 (4), and C2SnMe3 (5) under ultrahigh vacuum and variable temperature conditions. In contrast to 1, which showed unstable junctions at very low conductance (8.1 × 10(-7) G0), 4 formed a Au-C4FeC4FeC4-Au junction 4' after SnMe3 extrusion, which revealed a conductance of 8.9 × 10(-3) G0, 3 orders of magnitude higher than for 2 (7.9 × 10(-6) G0) and 2 orders of magnitude higher than for 3 (3.8 × 10(-4) G0). Density functional theory (DFT) confirmed the experimental trend in the conductance for the various anchoring motifs. The strong hybridization of molecular and metal states found in the C-Au coupling case enables the delocalized electronic system of the organometallic Fe2 backbone to be extended over the molecule-metal interfaces to the metal electrodes to establish high-conductive molecular wires.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Schwarz
- IBM Research-Zurich , Säumerstrasse 4, CH-8803 Rüschlikon, Switzerland
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40
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Solano MV, Della Pia EA, Jevric M, Schubert C, Wang X, van der Pol C, Kadziola A, Nørgaard K, Guldi DM, Nielsen MB, Jeppesen JO. Mono- and Bis(pyrrolo)tetrathiafulvalene Derivatives Tethered to C60: Synthesis, Photophysical Studies, and Self-Assembled Monolayers. Chemistry 2014; 20:9918-29. [DOI: 10.1002/chem.201402623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2014] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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41
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Géranton G, Seiler C, Bagrets A, Venkataraman L, Evers F. Transport properties of individual C60-molecules. J Chem Phys 2014; 139:234701. [PMID: 24359380 DOI: 10.1063/1.4840535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Electrical and thermal transport properties of C60 molecules are investigated with density-functional-theory based calculations. These calculations suggest that the optimum contact geometry for an electrode terminated with a single-Au atom is through binding to one or two C-atoms of C60 with a tendency to promote the sp(2)-hybridization into an sp(3)-type one. Transport in these junctions is primarily through an unoccupied molecular orbital that is partly hybridized with the Au, which results in splitting the degeneracy of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital triplet. The transmission through these junctions, however, cannot be modeled by a single Lorentzian resonance, as our results show evidence of quantum interference between an occupied and an unoccupied orbital. The interference results in a suppression of conductance around the Fermi energy. Our numerical findings are readily analyzed analytically within a simple two-level model.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Géranton
- Institute of Nanotechnology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Campus North, D-76128 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - C Seiler
- Institute of Nanotechnology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Campus North, D-76128 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - A Bagrets
- Institute of Nanotechnology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Campus North, D-76128 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - L Venkataraman
- Department of Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027, USA
| | - F Evers
- Institute of Nanotechnology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Campus North, D-76128 Karlsruhe, Germany
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La Rosa A, Gillemot K, Leary E, Evangeli C, González MT, Filippone S, Rubio-Bollinger G, Agraït N, Lambert CJ, Martín N. Does a Cyclopropane Ring Enhance the Electronic Communication in Dumbbell-Type C60 Dimers? J Org Chem 2014; 79:4871-7. [DOI: 10.1021/jo500342x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea La Rosa
- Departamento
de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Química, Universidad Complutense, E 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Katalin Gillemot
- Department
of Physics, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YB, U.K
| | - Edmund Leary
- IMDEA-Nanoscience,
Campus de Cantoblanco, Calle Faraday 9, Ciudad Universitaria de Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
- Laboratorio
de Bajas Temperaturas, Departamento de Física de la Materia
Condensada Módulo 13, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, E-28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Charalambos Evangeli
- Laboratorio
de Bajas Temperaturas, Departamento de Física de la Materia
Condensada Módulo 13, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, E-28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - María Teresa González
- IMDEA-Nanoscience,
Campus de Cantoblanco, Calle Faraday 9, Ciudad Universitaria de Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Salvatore Filippone
- Departamento
de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Química, Universidad Complutense, E 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Gabino Rubio-Bollinger
- Laboratorio
de Bajas Temperaturas, Departamento de Física de la Materia
Condensada Módulo 13, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, E-28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Nicolás Agraït
- IMDEA-Nanoscience,
Campus de Cantoblanco, Calle Faraday 9, Ciudad Universitaria de Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
- Laboratorio
de Bajas Temperaturas, Departamento de Física de la Materia
Condensada Módulo 13, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, E-28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Colin J. Lambert
- Department
of Physics, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YB, U.K
| | - Nazario Martín
- Departamento
de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Química, Universidad Complutense, E 28040 Madrid, Spain
- IMDEA-Nanoscience,
Campus de Cantoblanco, Calle Faraday 9, Ciudad Universitaria de Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
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43
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Martín S, Pera G, Ballesteros LM, Hope AJ, Marqués-González S, Low PJ, Pérez-Murano F, Nichols RJ, Cea P. Towards the Fabrication of the Top-Contact Electrode in Molecular Junctions by Photoreduction of a Metal Precursor. Chemistry 2014; 20:3421-6. [DOI: 10.1002/chem.201303967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2013] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Abstract
Understanding charge transport of single molecules or a small collection of molecules sandwiched between electrodes is of fundamental importance for molecular electronics. This requires the fabrication of reliable devices, which depend on several factors including the testbed architectures used, the molecule number and defect density being tested, and the nature of the molecule-electrode interface. On the basis of significant progresses achieved in both experiments and theory over the past decade, in this tutorial review, we focus on new insights into the influence of the nature of the molecule-electrode interface, the most critical issue hindering the development of reliable devices, on the conducting properties of molecules. We summarize the strategies developed for controlling the interfacial properties and how the coupling strength between the molecules and the electrodes modulates the device properties. These analyses should be valuable for deeply understanding the relationship between the contact interface and the charge transport mechanism, which is of crucial importance for the development of molecular electronics, organic electronics, nanoelectronics, and other interface-related optoelectronic devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuancheng Jia
- Center for NanoChemistry, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, PR China
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45
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Sun L, Diaz-Fernandez YA, Gschneidtner TA, Westerlund F, Lara-Avila S, Moth-Poulsen K. Single-molecule electronics: from chemical design to functional devices. Chem Soc Rev 2014; 43:7378-411. [DOI: 10.1039/c4cs00143e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 361] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The use of single molecules in electronics represents the next limit of miniaturisation of electronic devices, which would enable to continue the trend of aggressive downscaling of silicon-based electronic devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lanlan Sun
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
- Chalmers University of Technology
- , Sweden
| | - Yuri A. Diaz-Fernandez
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
- Chalmers University of Technology
- , Sweden
| | - Tina A. Gschneidtner
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
- Chalmers University of Technology
- , Sweden
| | - Fredrik Westerlund
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
- Chalmers University of Technology
- , Sweden
| | - Samuel Lara-Avila
- Department of Micro and Nanotechnology
- MC2
- Chalmers University of Technology
- , Sweden
| | - Kasper Moth-Poulsen
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
- Chalmers University of Technology
- , Sweden
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46
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Wu QQ, Zheng XH, Shi XQ, Lan J, Hao H, Zeng Z. Electron transport enhanced by electrode surface reconstruction: a case study of C60-based molecular junctions. RSC Adv 2014. [DOI: 10.1039/c4ra07900k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
At the C60–Cu(111) interface, electrode surface reconstruction (Rec) increases electrical current compared to that for the unreconstructed (Unrec) surface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Q. Q. Wu
- School of Physics and Material Science
- Anhui University
- Hefei 230601, China
- Key Laboratory of Materials Physics
- Institute of Solid State Physics
| | - X. H. Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Materials Physics
- Institute of Solid State Physics
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Hefei 230031, China
| | - X. Q. Shi
- Key Laboratory of Materials Physics
- Institute of Solid State Physics
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Hefei 230031, China
- Department of Physics
| | - J. Lan
- Key Laboratory of Materials Physics
- Institute of Solid State Physics
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Hefei 230031, China
| | - H. Hao
- Key Laboratory of Materials Physics
- Institute of Solid State Physics
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Hefei 230031, China
| | - Z. Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Materials Physics
- Institute of Solid State Physics
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Hefei 230031, China
- Department of Physics
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47
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Sotthewes K, Heimbuch R, Zandvliet HJW. Manipulating transport through a single-molecule junction. J Chem Phys 2013; 139:214709. [PMID: 24320396 DOI: 10.1063/1.4835675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular Electronics deals with the realization of elementary electronic devices that rely on a single molecule. For electronic applications, the most important property of a single molecule is its conductance. Here we show how the conductance of a single octanethiol molecule can be measured and manipulated by varying the contact's interspace. This mechanical gating of the single molecule junction leads to a variation of the conductance that can be understood in terms of a tunable image charge effect. The image charge effect increases with a decrease of the contact's interspace due to a reduction of the effective potential barrier height of 1.5 meV/pm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Sotthewes
- Physics of Interfaces and Nanomaterials, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500AE Enschede, The Netherlands
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48
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Gillemot K, Evangeli C, Leary E, La Rosa A, González MT, Filippone S, Grace I, Rubio-Bollinger G, Ferrer J, Martín N, Lambert CJ, Agraït N. A detailed experimental and theoretical study into the properties of C60 dumbbell junctions. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2013; 9:3812-3822. [PMID: 23630169 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201300310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2013] [Revised: 03/04/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
A combined experimental and theoretical investigation is carried out into the electrical transport across a fullerene dumbbell one-molecule junction. The newly designed molecule comprises two C60 s connected to a fluorene backbone via cyclopropyl groups. It is wired between gold electrodes under ambient conditions by pressing the tip of a scanning tunnelling microscope (STM) onto one of the C60 groups. The STM allows us to identify a single molecule before the junction is formed through imaging, which means unambiguously that only one molecule is wired. Once lifted, the same molecule could be wired many times as it was strongly fixed to the tip, and a high conductance state close to 10(-2) G0 is found. The results also suggest that the relative conductance fluctuations are low as a result of the low mobility of the molecule. Theoretical analysis indicates that the molecule is connected directly to one electrode through the central fluorene, and that to bind it to the gold fully it has to be pushed through a layer of adsorbates naturally present in the experiment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katalin Gillemot
- Department of Physics, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YB, UK
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49
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Li H, Schubert C, Dral PO, Costa RD, La Rosa A, Thüring J, Liu SX, Yi C, Filippone S, Martín N, Decurtins S, Clark T, Guldi DM. Probing charge transfer in benzodifuran-C60 dumbbell-type electron donor-acceptor conjugates: ground- and excited-state assays. Chemphyschem 2013; 14:2910-9. [PMID: 23918655 DOI: 10.1002/cphc.201300378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2013] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Rigid electron donor-acceptor conjugates (1-3) that combine π-extended benzodifurans as electron donors and C60 molecules as electron acceptors with different linkers have been synthesized and investigated with respect to intramolecular charge-transfer events. Electrochemistry, fluorescence, and transient absorption measurements revealed tunable and structure-dependent charge-transfer processes in the ground and excited states. Our experimental findings are underpinned by density-functional theory calculations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Li
- Departement für Chemie und Biochemie, Universität Bern, Freiestrasse 3, CH-3012 Bern (Switzerland), Fax: (+41) 31 631 4399
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50
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Evangeli C, Gillemot K, Leary E, González MT, Rubio-Bollinger G, Lambert CJ, Agraït N. Engineering the thermopower of C60 molecular junctions. NANO LETTERS 2013; 13:2141-5. [PMID: 23544957 DOI: 10.1021/nl400579g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
We report the measurement of conductance and thermopower of C60 molecular junctions using a scanning tunneling microscope (STM). In contrast to previous measurements, we use the imaging capability of the STM to determine precisely the number of molecules in the junction and measure thermopower and conductance continuously and simultaneously during formation and breaking of the molecular junction, achieving a complete characterization at the single-molecule level. We find that the thermopower of C60 dimers formed by trapping a C60 on the tip and contacting an isolated C60 almost doubles with respect to that of a single C60 and is among the highest values measured to date for organic materials. Density functional theory calculations show that the thermopower and the figure of merit continue increasing with the number of C60 molecules, demonstrating the enhancement of thermoelectric preformance by manipulation of intermolecular interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charalambos Evangeli
- Departamento de Física de la Materia Condensada, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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