1
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Wu A, Fan Y, Tao C, Chen X, Dappe YJ, Du J, Zhang Q. Molecular Diodes Induced by a Schottky Barrier with a Gold-Silicon Doped Electrode. J Phys Chem Lett 2024:7011-7019. [PMID: 38949616 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.4c01351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
To create complementary metal oxide semiconductor compatible molecular devices, more insights into the electrode property regarding its metal/semiconductor doping level and creating a functional molecular device are required. In this work, we constructed an EGaIn/alkanethiol/Au-Si molecular diode (with a rectification ratio R of 50.70) induced by Schottky barriers within a gold-silicon doped electrode instead of the functional property of molecules. The relationship between the rectification ratio and the number of methylene units in alkanethiol was analyzed, revealing a gradual increase in the ratio from 3.33 for C6H14S to 50.70 for C16H34S. The rectification ratio of the junction is well modulated by the temperature due to the change in the Schottky barrier. Such a mechanism is explained by the energy band diagrams of the surface space charge region and a combination of density functional theory and Keldysh-Green formalism calculations.
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Affiliation(s)
- An Wu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Yidan Fan
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Changyuan Tao
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Xiaoping Chen
- College of Chemistry and Environment, Minnan Normal University, Zhangzhou 363000, China
| | - Yannick J Dappe
- SPEC, CEA, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, CEA Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex 91191, France
| | - Jun Du
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
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2
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Kim JH, Kim S, Dickey MD, So JH, Koo HJ. Interface of gallium-based liquid metals: oxide skin, wetting, and applications. NANOSCALE HORIZONS 2024; 9:1099-1119. [PMID: 38716614 DOI: 10.1039/d4nh00067f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/25/2024]
Abstract
Gallium-based liquid metals (GaLMs) are promising for a variety of applications-especially as a component material for soft devices-due to their fluidic nature, low toxicity and reactivity, and high electrical and thermal conductivity comparable to solid counterparts. Understanding the interfacial properties and behaviors of GaLMs in different environments is crucial for most applications. When exposed to air or water, GaLMs form a gallium oxide layer with nanoscale thickness. This "oxide nano-skin" passivates the metal surface and allows for the formation of stable microstructures and films despite the high-surface tension of liquid metal. The oxide skin easily adheres to most smooth surfaces. While it enables effective printing and patterning of the GaLMs, it can also make the metals challenging to handle because it adheres to most surfaces. The oxide also affects the interfacial electrical resistance of the metals. Its formation, thickness, and composition can be chemically or electrochemically controlled, altering the physical, chemical, and electrical properties of the metal interface. Without the oxide, GaLMs wet metallic surfaces but do not wet non-metallic substrates such as polymers. The topography of the underlying surface further influences the wetting characteristics of the metals. This review outlines the interfacial attributes of GaLMs in air, water, and other environments and discusses relevant applications based on interfacial engineering. The effect of surface topography on the wetting behaviors of the GaLMs is also discussed. Finally, we suggest important research topics for a better understanding of the GaLMs interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Hye Kim
- Department of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Seoul National University of Science & Technology, 232 Gongneung-ro, Nowon-gu, Seoul, 01811, Republic of Korea
| | - Sooyoung Kim
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA.
| | - Michael D Dickey
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA.
| | - Ju-Hee So
- Material & Component Convergence R&D Department, Korea Institute of Industrial Technology, Ansan-si, 15588, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hyung-Jun Koo
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Seoul National University of Science & Technology, 232 Gongneung-ro, Nowon-gu, Seoul, 01811, Republic of Korea.
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3
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Yang J, Li Y, Zhang Z, Li H. A bias voltage controlled electrode-molecule interface in single-molecule junctions. Chem Commun (Camb) 2024; 60:5980-5983. [PMID: 38769815 DOI: 10.1039/d4cc01143k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Tuning the electrode-molecule interface stands at the heart of functional single-molecule devices. Herein, we report that the electrode-molecule interface of difluoro-substituted benzothiadiazole (FBTZ)-based single-molecule junctions can be modulated by the bias voltage. At low bias voltage (100 mV), the dative Au-N linkage is formed and at high bias voltage (600 mV), a covalent Au-C linkage is constructed. These junctions show distinct conductance. Interestingly, dominant charge carriers in Au-N- and Au-C-based junctions are different, as evidenced by dft calculations. These results provide a new strategy for regulating the electrode-molecule interface, which will advance the development of molecular electronics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiawei Yang
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, P. R. China.
| | - Yunpeng Li
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, P. R. China.
| | - Zekai Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, P. R. China.
| | - Hongxiang Li
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, P. R. China.
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4
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Sarmah A, Hobza P, Chandra AK, Mitra S, Nakajima T. Many-body Effects on Electronic Transport in Molecular Junctions: A Quantum Perspective. Chemphyschem 2024; 25:e202300938. [PMID: 38469938 DOI: 10.1002/cphc.202300938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
This concept delves into quantum particle transport at the nanoscale, with a particular focus on how electrons move through molecular circuits. The thriving field of single molecular electronics benefits from the unique electrical and other properties of nanostructures. It concentrates on single molecular junctions that serve as bridges between electrodes. In this context, the electronic correlation-induced many-body effect gives rise to resonant states. These states, along with conductance, depend on electron spin. Thus, the field acts as a bridge between quantum and macroscopic worlds, unveiling unique behaviors of electrons. Additionally, external factors, such as magnetic fields and voltages, offer means to control the electron correlation in these junctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amrit Sarmah
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo nam. 2, CZ-16610, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Hobza
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo nam. 2, CZ-16610, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Asit K Chandra
- Department of Chemistry, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, 793022, India
| | - Sivaprasad Mitra
- Department of Chemistry, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, 793022, India
| | - Takahito Nakajima
- RIKEN Center for Computational Science, 7-1-26, Minatojima-minamimi-machi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0047, Japan
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5
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Xu X, Gao C, Emusani R, Jia C, Xiang D. Toward Practical Single-Molecule/Atom Switches. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024:e2400877. [PMID: 38810145 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202400877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Electronic switches have been considered to be one of the most important components of contemporary electronic circuits for processing and storing digital information. Fabricating functional devices with building blocks of atomic/molecular switches can greatly promote the minimization of the devices and meet the requirement of high integration. This review highlights key developments in the fabrication and application of molecular switching devices. This overview offers valuable insights into the switching mechanisms under various stimuli, emphasizing structural and energy state changes in the core molecules. Beyond the molecular switches, typical individual metal atomic switches are further introduced. A critical discussion of the main challenges for realizing and developing practical molecular/atomic switches is provided. These analyses and summaries will contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the switch mechanisms, providing guidance for the rational design of functional nanoswitch devices toward practical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaona Xu
- Institute of Modern Optics and Center of Single Molecule Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Micro-scale Optical Information Science and Technology, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Chunyan Gao
- Institute of Modern Optics and Center of Single Molecule Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Micro-scale Optical Information Science and Technology, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Ramya Emusani
- Institute of Modern Optics and Center of Single Molecule Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Micro-scale Optical Information Science and Technology, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Chuancheng Jia
- Institute of Modern Optics and Center of Single Molecule Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Micro-scale Optical Information Science and Technology, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Dong Xiang
- Institute of Modern Optics and Center of Single Molecule Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Micro-scale Optical Information Science and Technology, Tianjin, 300350, China
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6
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Lv X, Li C, Guo MM, Hong W, Chen LC, Zhang QC, Chen ZN. Hydroxyl Group as the 'Bridge' to Enhance the Single-Molecule Conductance by Hyperconjugation. Molecules 2024; 29:2440. [PMID: 38893316 PMCID: PMC11173964 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29112440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
For designing single-molecule devices that have both conjugation systems and structural flexibility, a hyperconjugated molecule with a σ-π bond interaction is considered an ideal candidate. In the investigation of conductance at the single-molecule level, since few hyperconjugation systems have been involved, the strategy of building hyperconjugation systems and the mechanism of electron transport within this system remain unexplored. Based on the skipped-conjugated structure, we present a rational approach to construct a hyperconjugation molecule using a hydroxyl group, which serves as a bridge to interact with the conjugated fragments. The measurement of single-molecule conductance reveals a two-fold conductance enhancement of the hyperconjugation system having the 'bridging' hydroxyl group compared to hydroxyl-free derivatives. Theoretical studies demonstrate that the hydroxyl group in the hyperconjugation system connects the LUMO of the two conjugated fragments and opens a through-space channel for electron transport to enhance the conductance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Lv
- Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou 350002, China; (X.L.); (C.L.); (M.-M.G.); (Z.-N.C.)
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350007, China
- Fujian College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Chang Li
- Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou 350002, China; (X.L.); (C.L.); (M.-M.G.); (Z.-N.C.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Meng-Meng Guo
- Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou 350002, China; (X.L.); (C.L.); (M.-M.G.); (Z.-N.C.)
| | - Wenjing Hong
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China;
| | - Li-Chuan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China;
| | - Qian-Chong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou 350002, China; (X.L.); (C.L.); (M.-M.G.); (Z.-N.C.)
- Fujian College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Fujian Science & Technology Innovation Laboratory for Optoelectronic Information of China, Fuzhou 350108, China
| | - Zhong-Ning Chen
- Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou 350002, China; (X.L.); (C.L.); (M.-M.G.); (Z.-N.C.)
- Fujian College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Fujian Science & Technology Innovation Laboratory for Optoelectronic Information of China, Fuzhou 350108, China
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7
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Al-Owaedi OA. Thermoelectric Properties of Porphyrin Nano Rings: A Theoretical and Modelling Investigation. Chemphyschem 2024; 25:e202300616. [PMID: 38084460 DOI: 10.1002/cphc.202300616] [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: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Propagation of De Broglie waves through nanomolecular junctions is greatly affected by molecular topology changes, which in turn plays a key role in determining the electronic and thermoelectric properties of source|molecule|drain junctions. The probing and realization of the constructive quantum interference (CQI) and a destructive quantum interference (DQI) are well established in this work. The critical role of quantum interference (QI) in governing and enhancing the transmission coefficient T(E), thermopower (S), power factor (P) and electronic figure of merit (ZelT) of porphyrin nanorings has been investigated using a combination of density functional theory (DFT) methods, a tight binding (Hückel) modelling (TBHM) and quantum transport theory (QTT). Remarkably, DQI not only dominates the asymmetric molecular pathways and lowering T(E), but also improves the thermoelectric properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oday A Al-Owaedi
- Department of Laser Physics, University of Babylon, Babylon, Hilla, 51001, Iraq
- Al-Zahrawi University College, Holy Karbala, Karbala, 56001, Iraq
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8
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Jin Z, Xi C, Chen J, Ouyang Y, Wang F, Zhang M, Song F. Magnetotransport spectroscopy of electroburnt graphene nanojunctions. NANOSCALE 2024; 16:6309-6314. [PMID: 38465393 DOI: 10.1039/d3nr06176k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
We have reported the precise methodology for fabricating graphene quantum dots through electroburning and performed measurements on the Coulomb blockade and oscillation phenomena. The diameters of graphene quantum dots can be estimated to range from several to tens of nanometers, utilizing the disk capacitance model and the two-dimensional quantum well model. By subjecting the quantum dots to a vertical magnetic field, an obvious alteration in conductance can be detected at the point of resonance tunneling. This observed phenomenon can be attributed to the modification in the density of states of Landau levels within the graphene leads. Moreover, by manipulating the gate voltage, it is possible to regulate the Fermi level of the lead, resulting in distinct magnetoresistance of different electron states. The presence of this lead effect may potentially disrupt the magnetic response analysis of graphene-based single-molecule transistors, necessitating a comprehensive theoretical examination to mitigate such interference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengyang Jin
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, and School of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China.
| | - Caigan Xi
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, and School of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China.
| | - Jun Chen
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, and School of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China.
| | - Yiping Ouyang
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, and School of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China.
| | - Feng Wang
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, and School of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China.
| | - Minhao Zhang
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, and School of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China.
- Atom Manufacturing Institute (AMI), Nanjing 211805, China
| | - Fengqi Song
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, and School of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China.
- Atom Manufacturing Institute (AMI), Nanjing 211805, China
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9
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Zhou J, Yang S, Zhang Y, Ren JC, Liu W. Effective Descriptor for Screening Single-Molecule Conductance Switches. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:6962-6973. [PMID: 38426449 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c14655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
The adsorption-type molecular switch exhibits bistable states with an equivalently long lifetime at the organic/inorganic interface, promising reliable switching behavior and superior assembly ability in the electronic circuits at the molecular scale. However, the number of reported adsorption-type molecular switches is currently less than 10, and exploring these molecular switches poses a formidable challenge due to the intricate interplay occurring at the interface. To address this challenge, we have developed a model enabling the identification of diverse molecular switches on metal surfaces based on easily accessible physical characteristics. These characteristics primarily include the metal valency electron concentration, the work function of metal surfaces, and the electronegativity difference of molecules. Using this model, we identified 56 new molecular switches. Employing the gradient descent algorithm and statistical linear discriminant analysis, we constructed an explicit descriptor that establishes a relationship between the interfacial structure and chemical environment and the stability of molecular switches. The model's accuracy was validated through density functional theory calculations, achieving a 90% accuracy for aromatic molecular switches. The conductive switching behaviors were further confirmed by nonequilibrium Green's function transport calculations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junjun Zhou
- Nano and Heterogeneous Materials Center, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, Jiangsu, China
| | - Sha Yang
- Nano and Heterogeneous Materials Center, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yirong Zhang
- Nano and Heterogeneous Materials Center, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ji-Chang Ren
- Nano and Heterogeneous Materials Center, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Nano and Heterogeneous Materials Center, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, Jiangsu, China
- State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, Jilin, China
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10
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Al-Owaedi OA. Carbon Nanohoops: Multiple Molecular Templates for Exploring Spectroscopic, Electronic, and Thermoelectric Properties. ACS OMEGA 2024; 9:10610-10620. [PMID: 38463279 PMCID: PMC10918671 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c08944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
A combination of density functional theory (DFT) methods and quantum transport theory (QTT) has been used to investigate the spectroscopic, electronic, and thermoelectric properties of carbon nanohoop molecules with different molecular templates. The connectivity type, along with inherent strain, impacts the transport behavior and creates a destructive quantum interference (DQI), which proves itself to be a powerful strategy to enhance the thermoelectric properties of these molecules, making them promising candidates for thermoelectric applications.
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11
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Migliore A, Messina A. Controlling the charge-transfer dynamics of two-level systems around avoided crossings. J Chem Phys 2024; 160:084112. [PMID: 38415830 DOI: 10.1063/5.0188749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Two-level quantum systems are fundamental physical models that continue to attract growing interest due to their crucial role as a building block of quantum technologies. The exact analytical solution of the dynamics of these systems is central to control theory and its applications, such as that to quantum computing. In this study, we reconsider the two-state charge transfer problem by extending and using a methodology developed to study (pseudo)spin systems in quantum electrodynamics contexts. This approach allows us to build a time evolution operator for the charge transfer system and to show new opportunities for the coherent control of the system dynamics, with a particular emphasis on the critical dynamic region around the transition state coordinate, where the avoided crossing of the energy levels occurs. We identify and propose possible experimental implementations of a class of rotations of the charge donor (or acceptor) that endow the electronic coupling matrix element with a time-dependent phase that can be employed to realize controllable coherent dynamics of the system across the avoided level crossing. The analogy of these rotations to reference frame rotations in generalized semiclassical Rabi models is discussed. We also show that the physical rotations in the charge-transfer systems can be performed so as to implement quantum gates relevant to quantum computing. From an exquisitely physical-mathematical viewpoint, our approach brings to light situations in which the time-dependent state of the system can be obtained without resorting to the special functions appearing in the Landau-Zener approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agostino Migliore
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 1, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Antonino Messina
- Dipartimento di Matematica e Informatica, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Via Archirafi, 34, I-90123 Palermo, Italy
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12
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Pitfield J, Taylor NT, Hepplestone SP. Predicting Phase Stability at Interfaces. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2024; 132:066201. [PMID: 38394598 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.132.066201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
We present the RAFFLE methodology for structural prediction of the interface between two materials and demonstrate its effectiveness by applying it to MgO encapsulated by two layers of graphene. To address the challenge of interface structure prediction, our methodology combines physical insights derived from morphological features observed in related systems with an iterative machine learning technique. This employs physical-based methods, including void-filling and n-body distribution functions to predict interface structures. For the carbon-MgO encapsulated system, we have shown the rocksalt and hexagonal phases of MgO to be the two most energetically stable in the few-layer regime. We demonstrate that monolayer rocksalt is heavily stabilized by interfacing with graphene, becoming more energetically favorable than the graphenelike monolayer hexagonal MgO. The RAFFLE methodology provides valuable insights into interface behavior, and a route to finding new materials at interfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Pitfield
- University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QL, United Kingdom
| | - N T Taylor
- University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QL, United Kingdom
| | - S P Hepplestone
- University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QL, United Kingdom
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13
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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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14
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Li P, Hou S, Wu Q, Chen Y, Wang B, Ren H, Wang J, Zhai Z, Yu Z, Lambert CJ, Jia C, Guo X. The role of halogens in Au-S bond cleavage for energy-differentiated catalysis at the single-bond limit. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7695. [PMID: 38001141 PMCID: PMC10673828 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43639-8] [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: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The transformation from one compound to another involves the breaking and formation of chemical bonds at the single-bond level, especially during catalytic reactions that are of great significance in broad fields such as energy conversion, environmental science, life science and chemical synthesis. The study of the reaction process at the single-bond limit is the key to understanding the catalytic reaction mechanism and further rationally designing catalysts. Here, we develop a method to monitor the catalytic process from the perspective of the single-bond energy using high-resolution scanning tunneling microscopy single-molecule junctions. Experimental and theoretical studies consistently reveal that the attack of a halogen atom on an Au atom can reduce the breaking energy of Au-S bonds, thereby accelerating the bond cleavage reaction and shortening the plateau length during the single-molecule junction breaking. Furthermore, the distinction in catalytic activity between different halogen atoms can be compared as well. This study establishes the intrinsic relationship among the reaction activation energy, the chemical bond breaking energy and the single-molecule junction breaking process, strengthening our mastery of catalytic reactions towards precise chemistry.
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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, 300350, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Songjun Hou
- Department of Physics, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YB, UK
| | - Qingqing Wu
- Department of Physics, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YB, UK
| | - 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, 300350, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Boyu Wang
- 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, 300350, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Haiyang Ren
- 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, 300350, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinying Wang
- 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, 300350, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhaoyi Zhai
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, 300350, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhongbo Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, 300350, Tianjin, People's Republic of China.
| | - Colin J Lambert
- Department of Physics, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YB, UK.
| | - 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, 300350, Tianjin, 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, 300350, Tianjin, 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, 100871, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
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15
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Oz A, Nitzan A, Hod O, Peralta JE. Electron Dynamics in Open Quantum Systems: The Driven Liouville-von Neumann Methodology within Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory. J Chem Theory Comput 2023; 19:7496-7504. [PMID: 37852250 PMCID: PMC10653109 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.3c00311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
A first-principles approach to describe electron dynamics in open quantum systems driven far from equilibrium via external time-dependent stimuli is introduced. Within this approach, the driven Liouville-von Neumann methodology is used to impose open boundary conditions on finite model systems whose dynamics is described using time-dependent density functional theory. As a proof of concept, the developed methodology is applied to simple spin-compensated model systems, including a hydrogen chain and a graphitic molecular junction. Good agreement between steady-state total currents obtained via direct propagation and those obtained from the self-consistent solution of the corresponding Sylvester equation indicates the validity of the implementation. The capability of the new computational approach to analyze, from first principles, non-equilibrium dynamics of open quantum systems in terms of temporally and spatially resolved current densities is demonstrated. Future extensions of the approach toward the description of dynamical magnetization and decoherence effects are briefly discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annabelle Oz
- Department
of Physical Chemistry, School of Chemistry, the Raymond and Beverly
Sackler Faculty of Exact Sciences, and the Sackler Center for Computational
Molecular and Materials Science, Tel Aviv
University, Tel Aviv, 6997801, Israel
| | - Abraham Nitzan
- Department
of Physical Chemistry, School of Chemistry, the Raymond and Beverly
Sackler Faculty of Exact Sciences, and the Sackler Center for Computational
Molecular and Materials Science, Tel Aviv
University, Tel Aviv, 6997801, Israel
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103, United States
| | - Oded Hod
- Department
of Physical Chemistry, School of Chemistry, the Raymond and Beverly
Sackler Faculty of Exact Sciences, and the Sackler Center for Computational
Molecular and Materials Science, Tel Aviv
University, Tel Aviv, 6997801, Israel
| | - Juan E. Peralta
- Department
of Physics, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48859, United States
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16
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Cai ZY, Ma ZW, Wu WK, Lin JD, Pei LQ, Wang JZ, Wu TR, Jin S, Wu DY, Tian ZQ. Stereoelectronic Switches of Single-Molecule Junctions through Conformation-Modulated Intramolecular Coupling Approaches. J Phys Chem Lett 2023; 14:9539-9547. [PMID: 37856238 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.3c02577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Stereoelectronic effects in single-molecule junctions have been widely utilized to achieve a molecular switch, but high-efficiency and reproducible switching remain challenging. Here, we demonstrate that there are three stable intramolecular conformations in the 9,10-diphenyl-9,10-methanoanthracen-11-one (DPMAO) systems due to steric effect. Interestingly, different electronic coupling approaches including weak coupling (through-space), decoupling, and strong coupling (through-bond) between two terminal benzene rings are accomplished in the three stable conformations, respectively. Theoretical calculations show that the molecular conductance of three stable conformations differs by more than 1 order of magnitude. Furthermore, the populations of the three stable conformations are highly dependent on the solvent effect and the external electric field. Therefore, an excellent molecular switch can be achieved using the DPMAO molecule junctions and external stimuli. Our findings reveal that modulating intramolecular electronic coupling approaches may be a useful manner to enable molecular switches with high switching ratios. This opens up a new route for building high-efficiency molecular switches in single-molecular junctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuan-Yun Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surface, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, and Department of Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, People's Republic of China
| | - Zi-Wei Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surface, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, and Department of Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, People's Republic of China
| | - Wen-Kai Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surface, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, and Department of Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian-De Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surface, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, and Department of Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, People's Republic of China
| | - Lin-Qi Pei
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Jia-Zheng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surface, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, and Department of Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, People's Republic of China
| | - Tai-Rui Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surface, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, and Department of Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, People's Republic of China
| | - Shan Jin
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - De-Yin Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surface, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, and Department of Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhong-Qun Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surface, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, and Department of Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, People's Republic of China
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17
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Yan SS, Chen LC, Wang JY, Duan P, Pan ZY, Qu K, Hong W, Chen ZN, Zhang QC. Exploring a Linear Combination Feature for Predicting the Conductance of Parallel Molecular Circuits. NANO LETTERS 2023; 23:9399-9405. [PMID: 37877237 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c02763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2023]
Abstract
An accurate rule for predicting conductance is the cornerstone of developing molecular circuits and provides a promising solution for miniaturizing electric circuits. The successful prediction of series molecular circuits has proven the possibility of establishing a rule for molecular circuits under quantum mechanics. However, the quantitatively accurate prediction has not been validated by experiments for parallel molecular circuits. Here we used 1,3-dihydrobenzothiophene (DBT) to build the parallel molecular circuits. The theoretical simulation and single-molecule conductance measurements demonstrated that the conductance of the molecule containing one DBT is the unprecedented linear combination of the conductance of the two individual channels with respective contribution weights of 0.37 and 0.63. With these weights, the conductance of the molecule containing two DBTs is predicted as 1.81 nS, matching perfectly with the measured conductance (1.82 nS). This feature offers a potential rule for quantitatively predicting the conductance of parallel molecular circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sai-Sai Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Li-Chuan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361005, China
| | - Jin-Yun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, China
| | - Ping Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361005, China
| | - Zi-You Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, China
| | - Kai Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, China
| | - Wenjing Hong
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361005, China
| | - Zhong-Ning Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, China
- Fujian Science & Technology Innovation Laboratory for Optoelectronic Information of China, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Qian-Chong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, China
- Fujian Science & Technology Innovation Laboratory for Optoelectronic Information of China, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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18
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Li W, Qu F, Liu L, Zhang Z, Zheng C, Wang L, Wang C, Wang T. Structure and single-molecule conductance of two endohedral metallofullerenes with large C 88 cage. NANOSCALE 2023; 15:13645-13652. [PMID: 37551614 DOI: 10.1039/d3nr02389c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
Endohedral metallofullerenes are capable of holding peculiar metal clusters inside the carbon cage. Additionally, these display many chemical and physical properties originating from the complexation between the metal clusters and carbon cages, which could be acquired for wide applications. In this study, two metallofullerenes (Ce2O@C88 and Ce3N@C88) with an identical large C88-D2(35) cage, and their molecular structures and single-molecule conductance properties were investigated comparatively. Characterizations of UV-vis-NIR absorption spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and DFT calculations were employed to determine the geometries and electronic structures of Ce2O@C88 and Ce3N@C88. These molecules revealed varied energy gaps, structural parameters, vibrational modes, and molecular frontier orbitals. Although the two metallofullerenes have an identical cage isomer of C88-D2(35), their different endohedral clusters can influence their structures and physicochemical properties. Furthermore, the single-molecule conductance properties were measured using the scanning tunneling microscopy break junction technique (STM-BJ). The experimental results revealed that Ce2O@C88 has a higher conductance than Ce3N@C88 and C60. This revealed the cluster-dependent electron transportation as well as the significant research value of metallofullerenes with large carbon cages. These results provide guidance for fabricating single-molecule electronic devices.
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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, Beijing 100190, China.
| | - Fayu Qu
- School of Materials Science and Technology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China.
| | - Linshan Liu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Molecular Nanostructure and Nanotechnology, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.
- College of Chemistry, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China
| | - Zhuxia Zhang
- College of Chemistry, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China
| | - Chaofeng Zheng
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Molecular Nanostructure and Nanotechnology, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.
| | - Lin Wang
- School of Materials Science and Technology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China.
| | - Chunru Wang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Molecular Nanostructure and Nanotechnology, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 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, Beijing 100190, China.
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19
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Daaoub A, Morris JMF, Béland VA, Demay‐Drouhard P, Hussein A, Higgins SJ, Sadeghi H, Nichols RJ, Vezzoli A, Baumgartner T, Sangtarash S. Not So Innocent After All: Interfacial Chemistry Determines Charge-Transport Efficiency in Single-Molecule Junctions. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202302150. [PMID: 37029093 PMCID: PMC10953449 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202302150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023]
Abstract
Most studies in molecular electronics focus on altering the molecular wire backbone to tune the electrical properties of the whole junction. However, it is often overlooked that the chemical structure of the groups anchoring the molecule to the metallic electrodes influences the electronic structure of the whole system and, therefore, its conductance. We synthesised electron-accepting dithienophosphole oxide derivatives and fabricated their single-molecule junctions. We found that the anchor group has a dramatic effect on charge-transport efficiency: in our case, electron-deficient 4-pyridyl contacts suppress conductance, while electron-rich 4-thioanisole termini promote efficient transport. Our calculations show that this is due to minute changes in charge distribution, probed at the electrode interface. Our findings provide a framework for efficient molecular junction design, especially valuable for compounds with strong electron withdrawing/donating backbones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdalghani Daaoub
- Device Modelling GroupSchool of EngineeringUniversity of WarwickCoventryCV4 7ALUK
| | - James M. F. Morris
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of LiverpoolCrown StreetLiverpoolL69 7ZDUK
| | - Vanessa A. Béland
- Department of ChemistryYork University4700 Keele StreetTorontoON, M3J 1P3Canada
| | - Paul Demay‐Drouhard
- Department of ChemistryYork University4700 Keele StreetTorontoON, M3J 1P3Canada
| | - Amaar Hussein
- Department of ChemistryYork University4700 Keele StreetTorontoON, M3J 1P3Canada
| | - Simon J. Higgins
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of LiverpoolCrown StreetLiverpoolL69 7ZDUK
| | - Hatef Sadeghi
- Device Modelling GroupSchool of EngineeringUniversity of WarwickCoventryCV4 7ALUK
| | - Richard J. Nichols
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of LiverpoolCrown StreetLiverpoolL69 7ZDUK
| | - Andrea Vezzoli
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of LiverpoolCrown StreetLiverpoolL69 7ZDUK
| | - Thomas Baumgartner
- Department of ChemistryYork University4700 Keele StreetTorontoON, M3J 1P3Canada
| | - Sara Sangtarash
- Device Modelling GroupSchool of EngineeringUniversity of WarwickCoventryCV4 7ALUK
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20
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Tong L, Yu Z, Gao YJ, Li XC, Zheng JF, Shao Y, Wang YH, Zhou XS. Local cation-tuned reversible single-molecule switch in electric double layer. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3397. [PMID: 37296181 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39206-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The nature of molecule-electrode interface is critical for the integration of atomically precise molecules as functional components into circuits. Herein, we demonstrate that the electric field localized metal cations in outer Helmholtz plane can modulate interfacial Au-carboxyl contacts, realizing a reversible single-molecule switch. STM break junction and I-V measurements show the electrochemical gating of aliphatic and aromatic carboxylic acids have a conductance ON/OFF behavior in electrolyte solution containing metal cations (i.e., Na+, K+, Mg2+ and Ca2+), compared to almost no change in conductance without metal cations. In situ Raman spectra reveal strong molecular carboxyl-metal cation coordination at the negatively charged electrode surface, hindering the formation of molecular junctions for electron tunnelling. This work validates the critical role of localized cations in the electric double layer to regulate electron transport at the single-molecule level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Tong
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Advanced Catalysis Materials, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Zhejiang Normal University, 321004, Jinhua, China
| | - Zhou Yu
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Advanced Catalysis Materials, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Zhejiang Normal University, 321004, Jinhua, China
| | - Yi-Jing Gao
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Advanced Catalysis Materials, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Zhejiang Normal University, 321004, Jinhua, China
- Zhejiang Engineering Laboratory for Green Syntheses and Applications of Fluorine-Containing Specialty Chemicals, Institute of Advanced Fluorine-Containing Materials, Zhejiang Normal University, 321004, Jinhua, China
| | - Xiao-Chong Li
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Advanced Catalysis Materials, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Zhejiang Normal University, 321004, Jinhua, China
| | - Ju-Fang Zheng
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Advanced Catalysis Materials, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Zhejiang Normal University, 321004, Jinhua, China
| | - Yong Shao
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Advanced Catalysis Materials, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Zhejiang Normal University, 321004, Jinhua, China
| | - Ya-Hao Wang
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Advanced Catalysis Materials, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Zhejiang Normal University, 321004, Jinhua, China.
| | - Xiao-Shun Zhou
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Advanced Catalysis Materials, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Zhejiang Normal University, 321004, Jinhua, China.
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21
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Zhang M, Wu Z, Jia H, Li P, Yang L, Hao J, Wang J, Zhang E, Meng L, Yan Z, Liu Y, Du P, Kong X, Xiao S, Jia C, Guo X. Distinct armchair and zigzag charge transport through single polycyclic aromatics. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadg4346. [PMID: 37256956 PMCID: PMC10413665 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adg4346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
In aromatic systems with large π-conjugated structures, armchair and zigzag configurations can affect each material's electronic properties, determining their performance and generating certain quantum effects. Here, we explore the intrinsic effect of armchair and zigzag pathways on charge transport through single hexabenzocoronene molecules. Theoretical calculations and systematic experimental results from static carbon-based single-molecule junctions and dynamic scanning tunneling microscope break junctions show that charge carriers are preferentially transported along the hexabenzocoronene armchair pathway, and thus, the corresponding current through this pathway is approximately one order of magnitude higher than that through the zigzag pathway. In addition, the molecule with the zigzag pathway has a smaller energy gap. In combination with its lower off-state conductance, it shows a better field-effect performance because of its higher on-off ratio in electrical measurements. This study on charge transport pathways offers a useful perspective for understanding the electronic properties of π-conjugated systems and realizing high-performance molecular nanocircuits toward practical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miao Zhang
- Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, 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, China
- The Education Ministry Key Lab of Resource Chemistry, Joint International Research Laboratory of Resource Chemistry, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Functional Materials, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Biomimetic Catalysis, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai 200234, China
| | - Zewen Wu
- College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Hongxing Jia
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Anhui Laboratory of Advanced Photon Science and Technology, CAS Key Laboratory of Materials for Energy Conversion, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, iChEM, University of Science and Technology of China, 96 Jinzhai Road, Hefei, Anhui Province 230026, China
| | - Peihui Li
- Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Lei Yang
- The Education Ministry Key Lab of Resource Chemistry, Joint International Research Laboratory of Resource Chemistry, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Functional Materials, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Biomimetic Catalysis, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai 200234, China
| | - Jie Hao
- Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Jinying Wang
- Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, China
- Network for Computational Nanotechnology, College of Engineering, Purdue University, 298 Nimitz Dr., West Lafayette, IN 47906, USA
| | - Enyu Zhang
- Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Linan Meng
- 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, China
| | - Zhuang Yan
- 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, China
| | - Yi Liu
- The Education Ministry Key Lab of Resource Chemistry, Joint International Research Laboratory of Resource Chemistry, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Functional Materials, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Biomimetic Catalysis, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai 200234, China
| | - Pingwu Du
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Anhui Laboratory of Advanced Photon Science and Technology, CAS Key Laboratory of Materials for Energy Conversion, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, iChEM, University of Science and Technology of China, 96 Jinzhai Road, Hefei, Anhui Province 230026, China
| | - Xianghua Kong
- College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Shengxiong Xiao
- The Education Ministry Key Lab of Resource Chemistry, Joint International Research Laboratory of Resource Chemistry, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Functional Materials, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Biomimetic Catalysis, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai 200234, China
| | - Chuancheng Jia
- Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, 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, China
| | - Xuefeng Guo
- Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, 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, China
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22
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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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23
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Wang M, Chen X, Lu W, Tian X, Zhang GP. Silver electrodes provide higher conductance than gold for thiol-terminated oligosilane molecular junctions: the interfacial effect. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2023; 25:13673-13682. [PMID: 37158005 DOI: 10.1039/d2cp06030b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
The understanding of the interfacial effect on charge transport is essential in single-molecule electronics. In this study, we elucidated the transport properties of molecular junctions comprising thiol-terminated oligosilane with three to eight Si atoms and two types of Ag/Au electrode materials employing different interfacial configurations. First-principles quantum transport calculations demonstrated that the interfacial configuration determines the relative magnitude of the current between the Ag and Au electrodes, wherein the Ag monoatomic contact configuration presented a larger current than did the Au double-atom configuration. Further, the mechanism of electron tunneling from the interfacial states through the central σ channel was revealed. In contrast to Au double-atom electrodes, Ag monoatomic electrodes exhibit a higher current due to the presence of Ag-S interfacial states closer to the Fermi level. Our findings show that the interfacial configuration is a plausible way to generate the relative magnitude of current of thiol-terminated oligosilane molecular junctions with Au/Ag electrodes and provide further insight into the interfacial effect on the transport properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minglang Wang
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Image Processing & Shandong Provincial Engineering and Technical Center of Light Manipulations, School of Physics and Electronics, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250358, China.
| | - Xianglin Chen
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Image Processing & Shandong Provincial Engineering and Technical Center of Light Manipulations, School of Physics and Electronics, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250358, China.
| | - Wenjun Lu
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Image Processing & Shandong Provincial Engineering and Technical Center of Light Manipulations, School of Physics and Electronics, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250358, China.
| | - Xinyue Tian
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Image Processing & Shandong Provincial Engineering and Technical Center of Light Manipulations, School of Physics and Electronics, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250358, China.
| | - Guang-Ping Zhang
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Image Processing & Shandong Provincial Engineering and Technical Center of Light Manipulations, School of Physics and Electronics, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250358, China.
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24
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Song K, Lin J, Song X, Yang B, Zhu J, Zang Y, Zhu D. Formation of covalent metal-carbon contacts assisted by Ag + for single molecule junctions. Chem Commun (Camb) 2023; 59:6207-6210. [PMID: 37129042 DOI: 10.1039/d3cc01113e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Covalent metal-carbon (M-C) contacts have long been pursued for constructing robust and high-performance molecular devices. Existing methods for creating such contacts usually rely on direct chemical reactions between metal electrodes and designed molecular ligands. An inherent limitation of this approach is that the commonly used metal electrodes (e.g., Au) are chemically inert, making it generally difficult to form covalent M-C bonds with molecules. Intriguingly, employing the scanning tunneling microscope-break junction technique, we find that simply adding Ag+ ions to molecular solution enables direct covalent bonding of terminal alkynes to Au electrodes. The bonding process is driven by Ag+ ion coupled in situ reactions and efficiently creates covalent Au/Ag-C interfaces in single molecule junctions. This metal ion assisted method avoids the need for complex synthesis of molecular ligands and works robustly for a wide range of alkyne-terminated molecules, offering a facile and versatile approach for precisely tuning the metal-molecule interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Song
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.
| | - Junfeng Lin
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xuwei Song
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Bowen Yang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.
| | - Jia Zhu
- Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Nanoscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.
- College of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Theoretical & Computational Photochemistry of Ministry of Education, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Yaping Zang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Daoben Zhu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.
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25
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Yang C, Yang C, Guo Y, Feng J, Guo X. Graphene-molecule-graphene single-molecule junctions to detect electronic reactions at the molecular scale. Nat Protoc 2023:10.1038/s41596-023-00822-x. [PMID: 37045993 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-023-00822-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
The ability to measure the behavior of a single molecule during a reaction implies the detection of inherent dynamic and static disordered states, which may not be represented when measuring ensemble averages. Here, we describe the building of devices with graphene-molecule-graphene single-molecule junctions integrated into an electrical circuit. These devices are simple to build and are stable, showing tolerance to mechanical changes, solution environment and voltage stimulation. The design of a conductive channel based on a single molecule enables single-molecule detection and is sensitive to variations in physical properties and chemical structures of the detected molecules. The on-chip setup of single-molecule junctions further offers complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) compatibility, enabling logic functions in circuit elements, as well as deciphering of reaction intermediates. We detail the experimental procedure to prepare graphene transistor arrays as a basis for single-molecule junctions and the preparation of nanogapped carboxyl-terminal graphene electrodes by using electron-beam lithography and oxygen plasma etching. We describe the basic design of a molecular bridge with desired functions and terminals to form covalent bonds with electrode arrays, via a chemical reaction, to construct stably integrated single-molecule devices with a yield of 30-50% per chip. The immobilization of the single molecules is then characterized by using inelastic electron tunneling spectra, single-molecule imaging and fluorescent spectra. The whole protocol can be implemented within 2 weeks and requires users trained in using ultra-clean laboratory facilities and the aforementioned instrumentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Yang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, National Biomedical Imaging Centre, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Caiyao Yang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, National Biomedical Imaging Centre, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yilin Guo
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, National Biomedical Imaging Centre, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianfei Feng
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, National Biomedical Imaging Centre, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuefeng Guo
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, National Biomedical Imaging Centre, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
- Centre of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, Frontiers Science Centre for New Organic Matter, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Micro-scale Optical Information Science and Technology, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, People's Republic of China.
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26
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Yang C, Guo Y, Zhou S, Liu Z, Liu Z, Zhang D, Guo X. A Tunable Single-Molecule Light-Emitting Diode with Single-Photon Precision. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2209750. [PMID: 36718825 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202209750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2022] [Revised: 01/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
A robust single-molecule light-emitting diode (SM-LED) with high color purity, linear polarization, and efficiency tunability is prepared by covalently integrating one fluorescent molecule into nanogapped graphene electrodes. Furthermore, single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer from the electroluminescent center to different accepters is achieved through rational molecular engineering, enabling construction of a multicolor SM-LED. All these characterizations are accomplished in the photoelectrical integration system with high temporal/spatial/energy resolution, demonstrating the capability of the single-photon emission of SM-LEDs. The success in developing high-performance SM-LEDs inspires the development of the next generation of commercial display devices and promises a single-photon emitter for use in quantum computation and quantum communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Yang
- 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, P. R. China
| | - Yilin Guo
- 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, P. R. China
| | - Shuyao Zhou
- 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, P. R. China
| | - Zhirong Liu
- 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, P. R. China
| | - Zitong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730000, P. R. China
| | - Deqing Zhang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
| | - Xuefeng Guo
- 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, P. R. China
- Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin, 300350, P. R. China
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27
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Bhandary S, Poli E, Teobaldi G, O’Regan DD. Dynamical Screening of Local Spin Moments at Metal-Molecule Interfaces. ACS NANO 2023; 17:5974-5983. [PMID: 36881865 PMCID: PMC10062023 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c00247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Transition-metal phthalocyanine molecules have attracted considerable interest in the context of spintronics device development due to their amenability to diverse bonding regimes and their intrinsic magnetism. The latter is highly influenced by the quantum fluctuations that arise at the inevitable metal-molecule interface in a device architecture. In this study, we have systematically investigated the dynamical screening effects in phthalocyanine molecules hosting a series of transition-metal ions (Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni) in contact with the Cu(111) surface. Using comprehensive density functional theory plus Anderson's Impurity Model calculations, we show that the orbital-dependent hybridization and electron correlation together result in strong charge and spin fluctuations. While the instantaneous spin moments of the transition-metal ions are near atomic-like, we find that screening gives rise to considerable lowering or even quenching of these. Our results highlight the importance of quantum fluctuations in metal-contacted molecular devices, which may influence the results obtained from theoretical or experimental probes, depending on their possibly material-dependent characteristic sampling time-scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumanta Bhandary
- School
of Physics and CRANN Institute, Trinity
College Dublin, The University
of Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Emiliano Poli
- Scientific
Computing Department, STFC UKRI, Rutherford
Appleton Laboratory, Didcot OX11 0QX, United Kingdom
| | - Gilberto Teobaldi
- Scientific
Computing Department, STFC UKRI, Rutherford
Appleton Laboratory, Didcot OX11 0QX, United Kingdom
- School
of Chemistry, University of Southampton, Highfield SO17 1BJ, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - David D. O’Regan
- School
of Physics and CRANN Institute, Trinity
College Dublin, The University
of Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
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28
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Review of Fe-based spin crossover metal complexes in multiscale device architectures. Inorganica Chim Acta 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ica.2022.121168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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29
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Roy G, Gupta R, Ranjan Sahoo S, Saha S, Asthana D, Chandra Mondal P. Ferrocene as an iconic redox marker: From solution chemistry to molecular electronic devices. Coord Chem Rev 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2022.214816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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30
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Gupta N, Karuppannan SK, Pasula RR, Vilan A, Martin J, Xu W, May EM, Pike AR, Astier HPA, Salim T, Lim S, Nijhuis CA. Temperature-Dependent Coherent Tunneling across Graphene-Ferritin Biomolecular Junctions. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:44665-44675. [PMID: 36148983 PMCID: PMC9542697 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c11263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the mechanisms of charge transport (CT) across biomolecules in solid-state devices is imperative to realize biomolecular electronic devices in a predictive manner. Although it is well-accepted that biomolecule-electrode interactions play an essential role, it is often overlooked. This paper reveals the prominent role of graphene interfaces with Fe-storing proteins in the net CT across their tunnel junctions. Here, ferritin (AfFtn-AA) is adsorbed on the graphene by noncovalent amine-graphene interactions confirmed with Raman spectroscopy. In contrast to junctions with metal electrodes, graphene has a vanishing density of states toward its intrinsic Fermi level ("Dirac point"), which increases away from the Fermi level. Therefore, the amount of charge carriers is highly sensitive to temperature and electrostatic charging (induced doping), as deduced from a detailed analysis of CT as a function of temperature and iron loading. Remarkably, the temperature dependence can be fully explained within the coherent tunneling regime due to excitation of hot carriers. Graphene is not only demonstrated as an alternative platform to study CT across biomolecular tunnel junctions, but it also opens rich possibilities in employing interface electrostatics in tuning CT behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nipun
Kumar Gupta
- Department
of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore 117543, Singapore
- Centre
for Advanced 2D Materials, National University
of Singapore, 6 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117546, Singapore
| | - Senthil Kumar Karuppannan
- Department
of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore 117543, Singapore
| | - Rupali Reddy Pasula
- School
of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 70 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637457, Singapore
| | - Ayelet Vilan
- Department
of Chemical and Biological Physics, Weizmann
Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Jens Martin
- Centre
for Advanced 2D Materials, National University
of Singapore, 6 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117546, Singapore
| | - Wentao Xu
- Centre
for Advanced 2D Materials, National University
of Singapore, 6 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117546, Singapore
| | - Esther Maria May
- Chemistry-School
of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle
University, Newcastle
upon Tyne NE1 7RU, U.K.
| | - Andrew R. Pike
- School
of
Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang
Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Hippolyte P. A.
G. Astier
- Department
of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore 117543, Singapore
| | - Teddy Salim
- School
of
Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang
Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Sierin Lim
- School
of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 70 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637457, Singapore
| | - Christian A. Nijhuis
- Department
of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore 117543, Singapore
- Centre
for Advanced 2D Materials, National University
of Singapore, 6 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117546, Singapore
- Hybrid
Materials for Opto-Electronics Group, Department of Molecules and
Materials, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology and Centre for Brain-Inspired
Nano Systems, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands
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31
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Jiang B, Gu W, Jiang W, Lv M, Niu B, Wu X, Wang W, Wang H. Directly Imaging Dynamic Electronic Coupling during Electrochemical Oxidation of Single Silver Nanoparticles. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202209964. [DOI: 10.1002/anie.202209964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bo Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC) School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Nanjing University Nanjing Jiangsu 210023 China
| | - Wenjie Gu
- Key Laboratory for Organic Electronics and Information Displays & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biosensors Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM) Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications Nanjing Jiangsu 210023 China
| | - Wenxuan Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC) School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Nanjing University Nanjing Jiangsu 210023 China
| | - Mengqi Lv
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC) School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Nanjing University Nanjing Jiangsu 210023 China
| | - Ben Niu
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC) School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Nanjing University Nanjing Jiangsu 210023 China
| | - Xue‐Jun Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Nanjing University Nanjing Jiangsu 210023 China
| | - Wei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC) School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Nanjing University Nanjing Jiangsu 210023 China
| | - Hui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC) School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Nanjing University Nanjing Jiangsu 210023 China
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32
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Guo Y, Yang C, Zhou S, Liu Z, Guo X. A Single-Molecule Memristor based on an Electric-Field-Driven Dynamical Structure Reconfiguration. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2022; 34:e2204827. [PMID: 35862243 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202204827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
A robust single-molecule memristor is prepared by covalently integrating one phenol molecule with multiple binding sites into nanogapped graphene electrodes. Multilevel resistance switching is realized by the electric-field-manipulated reconfiguration of the acyl moiety on the phenol center, that is, the Fries rearrangement. In situ measurements of the reaction trajectories with an initial single substrate and an intermediate break through the limitation of macroscopic experiments, therefore unveiling both intramolecular and intermolecular mechanistic pathways (a long-term controversy) as well as comprehensive dynamic information. Based on this advance, high-performance single-molecule memristors in both the solution and solid states are achieved successively, providing a new understanding of memristive systems and neural network computing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yilin Guo
- 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, P. R. China
| | - Chen Yang
- 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, P. R. China
| | - Shuyao Zhou
- 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, P. R. China
| | - Zhirong Liu
- 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, P. R. China
| | - Xuefeng Guo
- 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, P. R. China
- Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin, 300350, P. R. China
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33
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Wang Y, Pan H, Lin D, Li S, Wang Y, Sanvito S, Hou S. Robust covalent pyrazine anchors forming highly conductive and polarity-tunable molecular junctions with carbon electrodes. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2022; 24:21337-21347. [PMID: 36043392 DOI: 10.1039/d2cp02318k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
In molecular electronics, electrode-molecule anchoring strategies play a crucial role in the design of stable and high-performance functional single-molecule devices. Herein, we employ aromatic pyrazine as anchors to connect a central anthracene molecule to carbon electrodes including graphene and armchair single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), and theoretically investigate their atomic structures and electronic transport properties. These molecular junctions can be constructed via condensation reactions of the central molecules terminated with ortho-phenylenediamines with ortho-quinone-functionalized nanogaps of graphene and SWCNT electrodes. With two direct C-N covalent bonds connecting the central molecule site-selectively to carbon electrodes in a coplanar way, pyrazine anchors are advantageous for forming stable and structurally well-defined molecular junctions, being expected to reduce the uncertainty about the electrode-molecule linkage motifs. The junction transport is highly efficient due to the coplanar geometry and the ensuing strong π-type molecule-electrode electronic coupling. Furthermore, our calculations show that molecular junctions with pyrazine anchors and carbon electrodes are usually n-type electronic devices; upon hydrogenation of pyridinic nitrogen atoms, the device polarity can be tuned to p-type, indicating that the pyrazine anchors can also serve as a powerful platform for tailoring in situ the polarity of charge carriers in carbon-electrode molecular electronic devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yudi Wang
- Key Laboratory for the Physics and Chemistry of Nanodevices, School of Electronics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
| | - Haoyang Pan
- Key Laboratory for the Physics and Chemistry of Nanodevices, School of Electronics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China. .,Centre for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Dongying Lin
- Key Laboratory for the Physics and Chemistry of Nanodevices, School of Electronics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
| | - Shi Li
- Key Laboratory for the Physics and Chemistry of Nanodevices, School of Electronics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
| | - Yongfeng Wang
- Key Laboratory for the Physics and Chemistry of Nanodevices, School of Electronics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
| | - Stefano Sanvito
- School of Physics, AMBER and CRANN Institute, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Shimin Hou
- Key Laboratory for the Physics and Chemistry of Nanodevices, School of Electronics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China. .,Centre for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
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34
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Feng A, Hou S, Yan J, Wu Q, Tang Y, Yang Y, Shi J, Xiao ZY, Lambert CJ, Zheng N, Hong W. Conductance Growth of Single-Cluster Junctions with Increasing Sizes. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:15680-15688. [PMID: 35984293 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c05856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Quantum-tunneling-based nanoelectronics has the potential for the miniaturization of electronics toward the sub-5 nm scale. However, the nature of phase-coherent quantum tunneling leads to the rapid decays of the electrical conductance with tunneling transport distance, especially in organic molecule-based nanodevices. In this work, we investigated the conductance of the single-cluster junctions of a series of atomically well-defined silver nanoclusters, with varying sizes from 0.9 to 3.0 nm, using the mechanically controllable break junction (MCBJ) technique combined with quantum transport theory. Our charge transport investigations of these single-cluster junctions revealed that the conductance grows with increasing cluster size. The conductance decay constant was determined to be ∼-0.4 nm-1, which is of opposite sign to that of organic molecules. Comparison between experiment and theory reveals that although charge transport through the silver single-cluster junctions occurs via phase-coherent tunneling, this is compensated by a rapid decrease in the energy gap between the highest occupied molecular orbital and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (HOMO-LUMO gap) with size and the increase in the electrode-cluster coupling, which results in their conductance increase up to lengths of ∼3.0 nm. These results demonstrate that such families of nanoclusters provide unique bottom-up building blocks for the fabrication of nanodevices in the sub-5 nm size range.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anni Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering & Innovation Laboratory for Sciences and Technologies of Energy Materials of Fujian Province (IKKEM), Xiamen University, 361005 Xiamen, China
| | - Songjun Hou
- Department of Physics, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YB, United Kingdom
| | - Juanzhu Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering & Innovation Laboratory for Sciences and Technologies of Energy Materials of Fujian Province (IKKEM), Xiamen University, 361005 Xiamen, China
| | - Qingqing Wu
- Department of Physics, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YB, United Kingdom
| | - Yongxiang Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering & Innovation Laboratory for Sciences and Technologies of Energy Materials of Fujian Province (IKKEM), Xiamen University, 361005 Xiamen, China
| | - Yang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering & Innovation Laboratory for Sciences and Technologies of Energy Materials of Fujian Province (IKKEM), Xiamen University, 361005 Xiamen, China
| | - Jia Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering & Innovation Laboratory for Sciences and Technologies of Energy Materials of Fujian Province (IKKEM), Xiamen University, 361005 Xiamen, China
| | - Zong-Yuan Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering & Innovation Laboratory for Sciences and Technologies of Energy Materials of Fujian Province (IKKEM), Xiamen University, 361005 Xiamen, China
| | - Colin J Lambert
- Department of Physics, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YB, United Kingdom
| | - Nanfeng Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering & Innovation Laboratory for Sciences and Technologies of Energy Materials of Fujian Province (IKKEM), Xiamen University, 361005 Xiamen, China
| | - Wenjing Hong
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering & Innovation Laboratory for Sciences and Technologies of Energy Materials of Fujian Province (IKKEM), Xiamen University, 361005 Xiamen, China
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35
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Jiang B, Gu W, Jiang W, Lv M, Niu B, Wu XJ, Wang W, Wang H. Directly Imaging Dynamic Electronic Coupling during Electrochemical Oxidation of Single Silver Nanoparticles. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202209964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bo Jiang
- Nanjing University School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering CHINA
| | - Wenjie Gu
- Nanjing University School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering CHINA
| | - Wenxuan Jiang
- Nanjing University School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering CHINA
| | - Mengqi Lv
- Nanjing University School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering CHINA
| | - Ben Niu
- Nanjing University School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering CHINA
| | - Xue-Jun Wu
- Nanjing University School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering CHINA
| | - Wei Wang
- Nanjing University School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering CHINA
| | - Hui Wang
- Nanjing University Nanjing Xianlin road No. 163 CHINA
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Roemer M, Gillespie A, Jago D, Costa-Milan D, Alqahtani J, Hurtado-Gallego J, Sadeghi H, Lambert CJ, Spackman PR, Sobolev AN, Skelton BW, Grosjean A, Walkey M, Kampmann S, Vezzoli A, Simpson PV, Massi M, Planje I, Rubio-Bollinger G, Agraït N, Higgins SJ, Sangtarash S, Piggott MJ, Nichols RJ, Koutsantonis GA. 2,7- and 4,9-Dialkynyldihydropyrene Molecular Switches: Syntheses, Properties, and Charge Transport in Single-Molecule Junctions. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:12698-12714. [PMID: 35767015 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c02289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
This paper describes the syntheses of several functionalized dihydropyrene (DHP) molecular switches with different substitution patterns. Regioselective nucleophilic alkylation of a 5-substituted dimethyl isophthalate allowed the development of a workable synthetic protocol for the preparation of 2,7-alkyne-functionalized DHPs. Synthesis of DHPs with surface-anchoring groups in the 2,7- and 4,9-positions is described. The molecular structures of several intermediates and DHPs were elucidated by X-ray single-crystal diffraction. Molecular properties and switching capabilities of both types of DHPs were assessed by light irradiation experiments, spectroelectrochemistry, and cyclic voltammetry. Spectroelectrochemistry, in combination with density functional theory (DFT) calculations, shows reversible electrochemical switching from the DHP forms to the cyclophanediene (CPD) forms. Charge-transport behavior was assessed in single-molecule scanning tunneling microscope (STM) break junctions, combined with density functional theory-based quantum transport calculations. All DHPs with surface-contacting groups form stable molecular junctions. Experiments show that the molecular conductance depends on the substitution pattern of the DHP motif. The conductance was found to decrease with increasing applied bias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max Roemer
- Chemistry, School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Angus Gillespie
- Chemistry, School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - David Jago
- Chemistry, School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - David Costa-Milan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool L69 7ZD, United Kingdom
| | - Jehan Alqahtani
- Department of Physics, King Khalid University, Abha 62529, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Physics, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YB, United Kingdom
| | - Juan Hurtado-Gallego
- Condensed Matter Physics Center (IFIMAC) and Instituto Universitatio de Ciencia de Materiales "Nicolás Cabrera" (INC), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, E-28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Hatef Sadeghi
- School of Engineering, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
| | - Colin J Lambert
- Department of Physics, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YB, United Kingdom
| | - Peter R Spackman
- Chemistry, School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Alexandre N Sobolev
- Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Brian W Skelton
- Chemistry, School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
- Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Arnaud Grosjean
- Chemistry, School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Mark Walkey
- Chemistry, School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Sven Kampmann
- Chemistry, School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Andrea Vezzoli
- Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool L69 7ZD, United Kingdom
| | - Peter V Simpson
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Massimiliano Massi
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Inco Planje
- Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool L69 7ZD, United Kingdom
| | - Gabino Rubio-Bollinger
- Condensed Matter Physics Center (IFIMAC) and Instituto Universitatio de Ciencia de Materiales "Nicolás Cabrera" (INC), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, E-28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Nicolás Agraït
- Condensed Matter Physics Center (IFIMAC) and Instituto Universitatio de Ciencia de Materiales "Nicolás Cabrera" (INC), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, E-28049 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto Madrileño de Estudios Avanzados en Nanociencia IMDEA-Nanociencia, E-28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Simon J Higgins
- Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool L69 7ZD, United Kingdom
| | - Sara Sangtarash
- School of Engineering, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew J Piggott
- Chemistry, School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Richard J Nichols
- Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool L69 7ZD, United Kingdom
| | - George A Koutsantonis
- Chemistry, School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
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Zhang H, Xu W, Song K, Lu T, Zhang G, Zang Y, Hong W, Zhang D. Dual Modulation of Single Molecule Conductance via Tuning Side Chains and Electric Field with Conjugated Molecules Entailing Intramolecular O•••S Interactions. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2105667. [PMID: 35434941 PMCID: PMC9189668 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202105667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Herein, single-molecule conductance studies of TBT1-TBT6 which entails 1,4-dithienylbenzene as the backbone and SMe groups as the anchoring units, with the scanning tunneling microscope break junction (STM-BJ) technique, are reported. The molecular conductance of TBT1 with intramolecular O•••S noncovalent interactions is enhanced by about one order of magnitude in comparison to their analogue TBT2 (which contains alkyl instead of alkoxy chains). By replacing the methoxy groups in TBT1 with extending alkoxy chains in TBT3, TBT4, and TBT5, the molecular backbones become twisted and as a consequence the single-molecule conductance decreases gradually, showing that the intramolecular O•••S noncovalent interaction is influenced by the structural features of alkoxy chains. More importantly, the single-molecule conductance of TBT3, TBT4, and TBT5 can be boosted by increasing the electric field applied to the molecular junctions. Remarkably, the conductance of TBT3, TBT4, and TBT5 can be reversibly modulated due to the conformational changes between twisted and planar ones by varying the electric field. These results demonstrate that molecules with intramolecular O•••S noncovalent interactions have the potential for in situ control of the electrical properties of molecular-scale devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Zhang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular SciencesOrganic Solids LaboratoryInstitute of ChemistryChinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100190China
- School of Chemical SciencesUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100049China
| | - Wei Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid SurfacesCollege of Chemistry and Chemical EngineeringXiamen UniversityXiamen361005China
| | - Kai Song
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular SciencesOrganic Solids LaboratoryInstitute of ChemistryChinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100190China
| | - Taige Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid SurfacesCollege of Chemistry and Chemical EngineeringXiamen UniversityXiamen361005China
| | - Guanxin Zhang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular SciencesOrganic Solids LaboratoryInstitute of ChemistryChinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100190China
- School of Chemical SciencesUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100049China
| | - Yaping Zang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular SciencesOrganic Solids LaboratoryInstitute of ChemistryChinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100190China
- School of Chemical SciencesUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100049China
| | - Wenjing Hong
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid SurfacesCollege of Chemistry and Chemical EngineeringXiamen UniversityXiamen361005China
| | - Deqing Zhang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular SciencesOrganic Solids LaboratoryInstitute of ChemistryChinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100190China
- School of Chemical SciencesUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100049China
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38
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Xie X, Li P, Xu Y, Zhou L, Yan Y, Xie L, Jia C, Guo X. Single-Molecule Junction: A Reliable Platform for Monitoring Molecular Physical and Chemical Processes. ACS NANO 2022; 16:3476-3505. [PMID: 35179354 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c11433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Monitoring and manipulating the physical and chemical behavior of single molecules is an important development direction of molecular electronics that aids in understanding the molecular world at the single-molecule level. The electrical detection platform based on single-molecule junctions can monitor physical and chemical processes at the single-molecule level with a high temporal resolution, stability, and signal-to-noise ratio. Recently, the combination of single-molecule junctions with different multimodal control systems has been widely used to explore significant physical and chemical phenomena because of its powerful monitoring and control capabilities. In this review, we focus on the applications of single-molecule junctions in monitoring molecular physical and chemical processes. The methods developed for characterizing single-molecule charge transfer and spin characteristics as well as revealing the corresponding intrinsic mechanisms are introduced. Dynamic detection and regulation of single-molecule conformational isomerization, intermolecular interactions, and chemical reactions are also discussed in detail. In addition to these dynamic investigations, this review discusses the open challenges of single-molecule detection in the fields of physics and chemistry and proposes some potential applications in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinmiao Xie
- Center for Molecular Systems and Organic Devices (CMSOD), Key Laboratory for Organic Electronics and Information Displays and Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM), Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Nanjing 210023, PR China
| | - 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, PR China
| | - Yanxia Xu
- 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, PR 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, PR China
| | - Yong Yan
- Center for Molecular Systems and Organic Devices (CMSOD), Key Laboratory for Organic Electronics and Information Displays and Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM), Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Nanjing 210023, PR China
| | - Linghai Xie
- Center for Molecular Systems and Organic Devices (CMSOD), Key Laboratory for Organic Electronics and Information Displays and Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM), Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Nanjing 210023, PR 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, PR 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, PR 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, PR 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, PR China
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39
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Zhu X, Xu Y, Zhao C, Jia C, Guo X. Recent Advances in Photochemical Reactions on Single-Molecule Electrical Platforms. Macromol Rapid Commun 2022; 43:e2200017. [PMID: 35150177 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202200017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2022] [Revised: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The photochemical reaction is a very important type of chemical reactions. Visualizing and controlling photo-mediated reactions is a long-standing goal and challenge. In this regard, single-molecule electrical detection with label-free, real-time and in situ characteristics has unique advantages in monitoring the dynamic process of photoreactions at the single-molecule level. In this Review, we provide a valuable summary of the latest process of single-molecule photochemical reactions based on single-molecule electrical platforms. The single-molecule electrical detection platforms for monitoring photoreactions are displayed, including their fundamental principles, construction methods and practical applications. The single-molecule studies of two different types of light-mediated reactions are summarized as below: i) photo-induced reactions, including reversible cyclization, conformational isomerization and other photo-related reactions; ii) plasmon-mediated photoreactions, including reaction mechanisms and concrete examples, such as plasmon-induced photolysis of S-S/O-O bonds and tautomerization of porphycene. In addition, the prospects for future research directions and challenges in this field are also discussed. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Zhu
- 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, P. R. 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, P. R. China
| | - Yanxia Xu
- 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, P. R. China
| | - Cong Zhao
- 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, P. R. 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, P. R. 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, P. R. 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, P. R. China
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40
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Charge Transport Characteristics of Molecular Electronic Junctions Studied by Transition Voltage Spectroscopy. MATERIALS 2022; 15:ma15030774. [PMID: 35160719 PMCID: PMC8836750 DOI: 10.3390/ma15030774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The field of molecular electronics is prompted by tremendous opportunities for using a single-molecule and molecular monolayers as active components in integrated circuits. Until now, a wide range of molecular devices exhibiting characteristic functions, such as diodes, transistors, switches, and memory, have been demonstrated. However, a full understanding of the crucial factors that affect charge transport through molecular electronic junctions should yet be accomplished. Remarkably, recent advances in transition voltage spectroscopy (TVS) elucidate that it can provide key quantities for probing the transport characteristics of the junctions, including, for example, the position of the frontier molecular orbital energy relative to the electrode Fermi level and the strength of the molecule–electrode interactions. These parameters are known to be highly associated with charge transport behaviors in molecular systems and can then be used in the design of molecule-based devices with rationally tuned electronic properties. This article highlights the fundamental principle of TVS and then demonstrates its major applications to study the charge transport properties of molecular electronic junctions.
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41
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Yasuraoka K, Kaneko S, Kobayashi S, Tsukagoshi K, Nishino T. Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Stimulated by Strong Metal-Molecule Interactions in a C 60 Single-Molecule Junction. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:51602-51607. [PMID: 34695353 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c09965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Specifying the geometric and electronic structures of a metal-molecule interface at the single-molecule level is crucial for the improvement of organic electronics. A single-molecule junction (SMJ) can be used to investigate interfaces because it can be regarded as an elementary unit of the interface structure. Although considerable efforts have been made to this end, the detection of structural changes in SMJs associated with metal-molecule interactions remains challenging. In this study, we detected the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) signal originating from the metal-molecule interaction change induced by a local structural change in a C60 SMJ. This junction has attracted wide attention owing to its unique electronic and vibronic properties. We fabricated a C60 SMJ using a lithographically fabricated Au electrode and measured the SERS spectra along with the current-voltage (I-V) response. By continuous measurement of SERS for the C60 SMJ, we obtained SERS spectra dependent on the local structural change. The analysis of the I-V response revealed that the vibration energy shift originates from the change in the local structure for different Au-C60 interactions. Based on the discrimination of the states in accordance with the Au-C60 interaction, we found that the probability of SERS for geometry with a large Au-C60 interaction was enhanced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koji Yasuraoka
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1, Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8551, Japan
| | - Satoshi Kaneko
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1, Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8551, Japan
- JST PRESTO, 4-1-8 Honcho, Kawaguchi 332-0012, Japan
| | - Shuji Kobayashi
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1, Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8551, Japan
| | - Kazuhito Tsukagoshi
- International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (WPI-MANA), National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), 1-1 Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0044, Japan
| | - Tomoaki Nishino
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1, Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8551, Japan
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42
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Sengul O, Valli A, Stadler R. Electrode effects on the observability of destructive quantum interference in single-molecule junctions. NANOSCALE 2021; 13:17011-17021. [PMID: 34617536 DOI: 10.1039/d1nr01230d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Destructive quantum interference (QI) has been a source of interest as a new paradigm for molecular electronics as the electronic conductance is widely dependent on the occurrence or absence of destructive QI effects. In order to interpret experimentally observed transmission features, it is necessary to understand the effects of all components of the junction on electron transport. We perform non-equilibrium Green's function calculations within the framework of density functional theory to assess the structure-function relationship of transport through pyrene molecular junctions with distinct QI properties. The chemical nature of the anchor groups and the electrodes controls the Fermi level alignment, which determines the observability of destructive QI. A thorough analysis allows to disentangle the transmission features arising from the molecule and the electrodes. Interestingly, graphene electrodes introduce features in the low-bias regime, which can either mask or be misinterpreted as QI effects, while instead originating from the topological properties of the edges. Thus, this first principles analysis provides clear indications to guide the interpretation of experimental studies, which cannot be obtained from simple Hückel model calculations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ozlem Sengul
- Institute for Theoretical Physics, Vienna University of Technology, Wiedner Hauptstrasse 8-10, 1040 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Angelo Valli
- Institute for Theoretical Physics, Vienna University of Technology, Wiedner Hauptstrasse 8-10, 1040 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Robert Stadler
- Institute for Theoretical Physics, Vienna University of Technology, Wiedner Hauptstrasse 8-10, 1040 Vienna, Austria.
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43
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Zwick P, Dulić D, van der Zant HSJ, Mayor M. Porphyrins as building blocks for single-molecule devices. NANOSCALE 2021; 13:15500-15525. [PMID: 34558586 PMCID: PMC8485416 DOI: 10.1039/d1nr04523g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Direct measurement of single-molecule electrical transparency by break junction experiments has become a major field of research over the two last decades. This review specifically and comprehensively highlights the use of porphyrins as molecular components and discusses their potential use for the construction of future devices. Throughout the review, the features provided by porphyrins, such as low level misalignments and very low attenuation factors, are shown with numerous examples, illustrating the potential and limitations of these molecular junctions, as well as differences emerging from applied integration/investigation techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Zwick
- Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, St Johanns-Ring 19, 4056 Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Diana Dulić
- Department of Physics and Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, University of Chile, Avenida Blanco Encalada 2008, Santiago 8330015, Chile
| | - Herre S J van der Zant
- Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Lorentzweg 1, 2628 CJ Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Marcel Mayor
- Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, St Johanns-Ring 19, 4056 Basel, Switzerland.
- Institute for Nanotechnology (INT), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), P. O. Box 3640, 76021 Karlsruhe, Germany
- Lehn Institute of Functional Materials (LIFM), School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-Sen University (SYSU), 510275 Guangzhou, China
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44
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Du C, Norris SR, Thakur A, Chen J, VanVeller B, Thuo M. Molecular Conformation in Charge Tunneling across Large-Area Junctions. J Am Chem Soc 2021; 143:13878-13886. [PMID: 34415163 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c06622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Self-assembled monolayers are predicated on thermodynamic equilibrium; hence, their properties project accessible relaxation pathways. Herein, we demonstrate that charge tunneling correlates with conformational degrees of freedom(s). Results from open chain and cyclic head groups show that, as expected, distribution in tunneling data correlates with the orientation of the head group, akin to the odd-even effect and more importantly the degree of conformational freedom, but fluctuates with applied bias. Trends in nature of distributions in current density illuminate the need for higher statistical moments in understanding these rather dynamic systems. We employ skewness, kurtosis, and estimation plots to show that the conformational degree of freedom in the head group significantly amplifies the odd-even effect and may lead to enhanced or perturbed tunneling based on whether the head group is on an odd- or even-parity spacer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuanshen Du
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Iowa State University, 2220 Hoover Hall, Ames, Iowa 50011 United States
| | - Sean R Norris
- Department of Chemistry, Iowa State University, 3126 Hach Hall, 2438 Pammel Drive, Ames, Iowa 50011-3111, United States
| | - Abhishek Thakur
- Department of Chemistry, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida 33146, United States
| | - Jiahao Chen
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Iowa State University, 2220 Hoover Hall, Ames, Iowa 50011 United States.,Micro-Electronic Research Center, Iowa State University, 133 Applied Sciences Complex I, 1925 Scholl Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
| | - Brett VanVeller
- Department of Chemistry, Iowa State University, 3126 Hach Hall, 2438 Pammel Drive, Ames, Iowa 50011-3111, United States
| | - Martin Thuo
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Iowa State University, 2220 Hoover Hall, Ames, Iowa 50011 United States.,Micro-Electronic Research Center, Iowa State University, 133 Applied Sciences Complex I, 1925 Scholl Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States.,Biopolymer and Biocomposites Research Team, Center for Bioplastics and Biocomposites Iowa State University, 1041 Food Sciences Building, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
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45
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Bokare A, Arif J, Erogbogbo F. Strategies for Incorporating Graphene Oxides and Quantum Dots into Photoresponsive Azobenzenes for Photonics and Thermal Applications. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 11:2211. [PMID: 34578524 PMCID: PMC8467028 DOI: 10.3390/nano11092211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Graphene represents a new generation of materials which exhibit unique physicochemical properties such as high electron mobility, tunable optics, a large surface to volume ratio, and robust mechanical strength. These properties make graphene an ideal candidate for various optoelectronic, photonics, and sensing applications. In recent years, numerous efforts have been focused on azobenzene polymers (AZO-polymers) as photochromic molecular switches and thermal sensors because of their light-induced conformations and surface-relief structures. However, these polymers often exhibit drawbacks such as low photon storage lifetime and energy density. Additionally, AZO-polymers tend to aggregate even at moderate doping levels, which is detrimental to their optical response. These issues can be alleviated by incorporating graphene derivatives (GDs) into AZO-polymers to form orderly arranged molecules. GDs such as graphene oxide (GO), reduced graphene oxide (RGO), and graphene quantum dots (GQDs) can modulate the optical response, energy density, and photon storage capacity of these composites. Moreover, they have the potential to prevent aggregation and increase the mechanical strength of the azobenzene complexes. This review article summarizes and assesses literature on various strategies that may be used to incorporate GDs into azobenzene complexes. The review begins with a detailed analysis of structures and properties of GDs and azobenzene complexes. Then, important aspects of GD-azobenzene composites are discussed, including: (1) synthesis methods for GD-azobenzene composites, (2) structure and physicochemical properties of GD-azobenzene composites, (3) characterization techniques employed to analyze GD-azobenzene composites, and most importantly, (4) applications of these composites in various photonics and thermal devices. Finally, a conclusion and future scope are given to discuss remaining challenges facing GD-azobenzene composites in functional science engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Folarin Erogbogbo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, San José State University, 1 Washington Square, San José, CA 95112, USA; (A.B.); (J.A.)
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Bhandary S, Tomczak JM, Valli A. Designing a mechanically driven spin-crossover molecular switch via organic embedding. NANOSCALE ADVANCES 2021; 3:4990-4995. [PMID: 34485819 PMCID: PMC8386408 DOI: 10.1039/d1na00407g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 07/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Among spin-crossover complexes, Fe-porphyrin (FeP) stands out for molecular spintronic applications: an intricate, yet favourable balance between ligand fields, charge transfer, and the Coulomb interaction makes FeP highly manipulable, while its planar structure facilitates device integration. Here, we theoretically design a mechanical spin-switch device in which external strain triggers the intrinsic magneto-structural coupling of FeP through a purely organic embedding. Exploiting the chemical compatibility and stretchability of graphene nanoribbon electrodes, we overcome common reliability and reproducibility issues of conventional inorganic setups. The competition between the Coulomb interaction and distortion-induced changes in ligand fields requires methodologies beyond the state-of-the-art: combining density functional theory with many-body techniques, we demonstrate experimentally feasible tensile strain to trigger a low-spin (S = 1) to high-spin (S = 2) crossover. Concomitantly, the current through the device toggles by over an order of magnitude, adding a fully planar mechanical current-switch unit to the panoply of molecular spintronics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumanta Bhandary
- School of Physics, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin Dublin 2 Ireland +353-1-896 8455
| | - Jan M Tomczak
- Institute of Solid State Physics, Vienna University of Technology 1040 Vienna Austria
| | - Angelo Valli
- Institute for Theoretical Physics, Vienna University of Technology 1040 Vienna Austria
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Li J, Hu Y, Yu L, Li L, Ji D, Li L, Hu W, Fuchs H. Recent Advances of Nanospheres Lithography in Organic Electronics. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2021; 17:e2100724. [PMID: 34018680 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202100724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Nanospheres lithography (NSL) is an economical technique, which makes use of highly monodispersed nanospheres such as deposition or etch masks for generating patterns with nanoscale features. Embedding nanostructures into organic electronic devices can endow them with unique capabilities and enhanced performance, which have greatly advanced the development of organic electronics. In this review, a brief summary of the methods for the preparation of monodispersed nanospheres is presented. Afterward, the authors highlight the recent advances of a wide variety of applications of nanospheres lithography in organic electronic devices. Finally, the challenges in this field are pointed out, and the future development of this field is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Li
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Optoelectronic Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Institute of Molecular Aggregation Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Yongxu Hu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Optoelectronic Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Institute of Molecular Aggregation Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Li Yu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Optoelectronic Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Institute of Molecular Aggregation Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Lin Li
- Institute of Molecular Plus, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Deyang Ji
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Optoelectronic Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Institute of Molecular Aggregation Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Liqiang Li
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Optoelectronic Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Institute of Molecular Aggregation Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Wenping Hu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Optoelectronic Sciences, Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Tianjin University, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Harald Fuchs
- Physikalisches Institut, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität, Wilhelm-Klemm-Straße 10, 48149, Münster, Germany
- Center for Nanotechnology, Heisenbergstraße 11, 48149, Münster, Germany
- Institute of Flexible Electronics (IFE), Northwestern Polytechnical University (NWPU), 127 West Youyi Road, Xi'an, 710072, China
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Chen X, Kretz B, Adoah F, Nickle C, Chi X, Yu X, Del Barco E, Thompson D, Egger DA, Nijhuis CA. A single atom change turns insulating saturated wires into molecular conductors. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3432. [PMID: 34103489 PMCID: PMC8187423 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23528-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
We present an efficient strategy to modulate tunnelling in molecular junctions by changing the tunnelling decay coefficient, β, by terminal-atom substitution which avoids altering the molecular backbone. By varying X = H, F, Cl, Br, I in junctions with S(CH2)(10-18)X, current densities (J) increase >4 orders of magnitude, creating molecular conductors via reduction of β from 0.75 to 0.25 Å−1. Impedance measurements show tripled dielectric constants (εr) with X = I, reduced HOMO-LUMO gaps and tunnelling-barrier heights, and 5-times reduced contact resistance. These effects alone cannot explain the large change in β. Density-functional theory shows highly localized, X-dependent potential drops at the S(CH2)nX//electrode interface that modifies the tunnelling barrier shape. Commonly-used tunnelling models neglect localized potential drops and changes in εr. Here, we demonstrate experimentally that \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}
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\begin{document}$$\beta \propto 1/\sqrt{{\varepsilon }_{r}}$$\end{document}β∝1/εr, suggesting highly-polarizable terminal-atoms act as charge traps and highlighting the need for new charge transport models that account for dielectric effects in molecular tunnelling junctions. In molecular junctions, where a molecule is placed between two electrodes, the current passed decays exponentially as a function of length. Here, Chen et al. show that this exponentially attenuation can be controlled by changing a single atom at the end of the molecular wire.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoping Chen
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Centre for Advanced 2D Materials and Graphene Research Centre, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Bernhard Kretz
- Department of Physics, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany
| | - Francis Adoah
- Department of Physics, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - Cameron Nickle
- Department of Physics, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - Xiao Chi
- Singapore Synchrotron Light Source, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Xiaojiang Yu
- Singapore Synchrotron Light Source, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Enrique Del Barco
- Department of Physics, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - Damien Thompson
- Department of Physics, Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - David A Egger
- Department of Physics, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany.
| | - Christian A Nijhuis
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore. .,Centre for Advanced 2D Materials and Graphene Research Centre, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore. .,Hybrid Materials for Opto-Electronics Group, Department of Molecules and Materials, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology and Center for Brain-Inspired Nano Systems, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500, AE Enschede, The Netherlands.
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49
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Gu MW, Peng HH, Chen IWP, Chen CH. Tuning surface d bands with bimetallic electrodes to facilitate electron transport across molecular junctions. NATURE MATERIALS 2021; 20:658-664. [PMID: 33510446 DOI: 10.1038/s41563-020-00876-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Understanding chemical bonding and conductivity at the electrode-molecule interface is key for the operation of single-molecule junctions. Here we apply the d-band theory that describes interfacial interactions between adsorbates and transition metal surfaces to study electron transport across these devices. We realized bimetallic Au electrodes modified with a monoatomic Ag adlayer to connect α,ω-alkanoic acids (HO2C(CH2)nCO2H). The force required to break the molecule-electrode binding and the contact conductance Gn=0 are 1.1 nN and 0.29 G0 (the conductance quantum, 1 G0 = 2e2/h ≈ 77.5 μS), which makes these junctions, respectively, 1.3-1.8 times stronger and 40-60-fold more conductive than junctions with bare Au or Ag electrodes. A similar performance was found for Au electrodes modified by Cu monolayers. By integrating the Newns-Anderson model with the Hammer-Nørskov d-band model, we explain how the surface d bands strengthen the adsorption and promote interfacial electron transport, which provides an alternative avenue for the optimization of molecular electronic devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mong-Wen Gu
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Emerging Materials and Advanced Devices, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hao Howard Peng
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Emerging Materials and Advanced Devices, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - I-Wen Peter Chen
- Department of Applied Science, National Taitung University, Taitung, Taiwan.
| | - Chun-Hsien Chen
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Emerging Materials and Advanced Devices, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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50
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Aggarwal A, Sahoo AK, Bag S, Kaliginedi V, Jain M, Maiti PK. Fine-tuning the DNA conductance by intercalation of drug molecules. Phys Rev E 2021; 103:032411. [PMID: 33862831 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.103.032411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
In this work we study the structure-transport property relationships of small ligand intercalated DNA molecules using a multiscale modeling approach where extensive ab initio calculations are performed on numerous MD-simulated configurations of dsDNA and dsDNA intercalated with two different intercalators, ethidium and daunomycin. DNA conductance is found to increase by one order of magnitude upon drug intercalation due to the local unwinding of the DNA base pairs adjacent to the intercalated sites, which leads to modifications of the density of states in the near-Fermi-energy region of the ligand-DNA complex. Our study suggests that the intercalators can be used to enhance or tune the DNA conductance, which opens new possibilities for their potential applications in nanoelectronics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek Aggarwal
- Center for Condensed Matter Theory, Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Anil Kumar Sahoo
- Center for Condensed Matter Theory, Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Saientan Bag
- Center for Condensed Matter Theory, Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Veerabhadrarao Kaliginedi
- Department of Inorganic and Physical Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Manish Jain
- Center for Condensed Matter Theory, Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Prabal K Maiti
- Center for Condensed Matter Theory, Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
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