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Gao Y, Xie W, Wang B, Schreckenbach G, Govorov AO, Li X, Wang ZM. Observing the Role of Electron Delocalization in Electronic Transport by Incorporating Actinides into Ligated Metal-Chalcogenide Superatoms. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2024. [PMID: 39007426 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.4c01345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Since delocalization of electronic states is a prerequisite for exerting unique electron transport properties, early actinides (An) with highly delocalized 5f/6d orbitals are natural candidates. However, given the experimental difficulties of such radioactive compounds and the complex relativistic effects in theoretical studies, understanding the electronic structure and bonding of actinides is underdeveloped on the periodic table. A further challenge is the very complicated electronic structures encountered in the confinement of actinides, as vividly illustrated by the weakly radioactive Th(Thorium)-encapsulated metal chalcogenide clusters, Th@Co6Te8L6 (L = PH3, PMe3, PEt3). Here we report the electronic structure and the electron transport properties of the Th@Co6Te8L6 clusters and compare them with those of the hollow Co6Te8L6 clusters using the nonequilibrium Green's function combined with relativistic density functional theory (NEGF-DFT). We found that the equilibrium conductance in Th@Co6Te8(PH3)6 (0.76 G0) has been greatly improved over that in Co6Te8(PH3)6 (0.03 G0), which has also been verified under an applied different bias voltage. The covalent bonding character between 6d (Th) and 3d (Co) atomic orbitals resulting from steric confinement is the source of the performance enhancement and a most important factor governing the accessibility of such 5f/6d orbitals. The results are of significance to the rapidly developing field of molecular nanoelectronics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Gao
- Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan 611731, China
| | - Weiyu Xie
- School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Bo Wang
- College of Science, Northeast Electric Power University, No. 169 Changchun Road Jilin City 132012, P. R. China
| | - Georg Schreckenbach
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Alexander O Govorov
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio 45701, United States
| | - Xiaoan Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Nuclear Technology Medical Transformation, Mianyang Central Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Mianyang, Sichuan 621099, China
| | - Zhiming M Wang
- Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan 611731, China
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Gorenskaia E, Low PJ. Methods for the analysis, interpretation, and prediction of single-molecule junction conductance behaviour. Chem Sci 2024; 15:9510-9556. [PMID: 38939131 PMCID: PMC11206205 DOI: 10.1039/d4sc00488d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024] Open
Abstract
This article offers a broad overview of measurement methods in the field of molecular electronics, with a particular focus on the most common single-molecule junction fabrication techniques, the challenges in data analysis and interpretation of single-molecule junction current-distance traces, and a summary of simulations and predictive models aimed at establishing robust structure-property relationships of use in the further development of molecular electronics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Gorenskaia
- School of Molecular Sciences, University of Western Australia 35 Stirling Highway Crawley Western Australia 6026 Australia
| | - Paul J Low
- School of Molecular Sciences, University of Western Australia 35 Stirling Highway Crawley Western Australia 6026 Australia
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3
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Hernández-Montes O, Garzón IL, Barrios-Vargas JE. A chiral metal cluster triggers enantiospecific electronic transport. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2024; 26:11277-11282. [PMID: 38251447 DOI: 10.1039/d3cp04581a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Chirality is a geometric property of matter that can be present at different scales, especially at the nanoscale. Here, we investigate the manifestation of chirality in electronic transport through a molecular junction. Spinless electronic transport through a chiral molecular junction is not enantiospecific. However, when a chiral metal cluster, C3-Au34, is attached to the source electrode, a different response is obtained in spinless electronic transport between R and L systems: this indicates the crucial role of chiral clusters in triggering enantiospecific spinless electronic transport. In contrast, when an achiral metal cluster, C3v-Au34, is attached, no change in conductance occurs between enantiomeric systems. Using the non-equilibrium green's function method, we characterized this phenomenon by calculating the transmission and conductance of spin-unpolarized electrons. Our theoretical results highlight the importance of metal clusters with specific sizes and chiral structures in electronic transport and support previously published experimental results that exhibited enantiospecific scanning tunneling measurements with intrinsically chiral tips.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar Hernández-Montes
- Departamento de Física y Química Teórica, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico.
| | - Ignacio L Garzón
- Instituto de Física, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 20-364, Ciudad de México 01000, Mexico.
| | - J Eduardo Barrios-Vargas
- Departamento de Física y Química Teórica, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico.
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Imex Aguirre Cardenas M, Siu TC, Pimentel AE, Hight MO, Shimono MG, Thai S, Carta V, Su TA. Installing Quaternary Germanium Centers in Sila-Diamondoid Cores via Skeletal Isomerization. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:20588-20594. [PMID: 37683101 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c07290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
This manuscript describes skeletal isomerization strategies to install one to four quaternary germanium atoms in the sila-adamantane core, in a cluster analogy to precision germanium doping in silicon-germanium alloys. The first strategy embodies an inorganic variant of single-atom skeletal editing, where we use a sila-Wagner-Meerwein bond shift cascade to exchange a peripheral Ge atom with a core Si atom. We can install up to four Ge atoms at the quaternary diamondoid centers based on controlling the SixGey stoichiometry of our precursor. We find that bridgehead Ge centers can be selectively functionalized over bridgehead Si centers in SiGe adamantanes; we use this chemistry in conjunction with scanning tunneling microscopy break-junction (STM-BJ) measurements to show that Si8Ge2 adamantane wires give a 60% increase in single-molecule conductance compared with Si10 adamantanes. These studies describe the first quantum transport measurements in sila-diamondoid structures, and demonstrate how main-chain Ge doping can be used to increase electronic transmission in sila-diamondoid-based molecular wires.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Imex Aguirre Cardenas
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Timothy C Siu
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Ashley E Pimentel
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Matthew O Hight
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Miku G Shimono
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Shalivahana Thai
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Veronica Carta
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Timothy A Su
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Riverside, California 92521, United States
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of California, Riverside, California 92521, United States
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5
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Hu KJ, Yan W, Zhang M, Song F. Electrical devices designed based on inorganic clusters. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2022; 33:502001. [PMID: 36063786 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/ac8f4e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The idea of exploring the bottom brink of material science has been carried out for more than two decades. Clusters science is the frontmost study of all nanoscale structures. Being an example of 0-dimensional quantum dot, nanocluster serves as the bridge between atomic and conventionally understood solid-state physics. The forming mechanism of clusters is found to be the mutual effects of electronic and geometric configuration. It is found that electronic shell structure influences the properties and geometric structure of the cluster until its size becomes larger, where electronic effects submerge in geometric structure. The discrete electronic structures depend on the size and conformation of clusters, which can be controlled artificially for potential device applications. Especially, small clusters with a size of 1-2 nm, whose electronic states are possibly discrete enough to overcome thermal fluctuations, are expected to build a single-electron transistor with room temperature operation. However, exciting as the progress may be seen, cluster science still falls within the territory of merely the extension of atomic and molecular science. Its production rate limits the scientific and potential application research of nanoclusters. It is suggested in this review that the mass-produce ability without losing the atomic precision selectivity would be the milestone for nanoclusters to advance to material science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuo-Juei Hu
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, School of Physics, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Weicheng Yan
- College of Integrated Circuit Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, 210023, Qixia District, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Minhao Zhang
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, School of Physics, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Fengqi Song
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, School of Physics, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
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Siu TC, Imex Aguirre Cardenas M, Seo J, Boctor K, Shimono MG, Tran IT, Carta V, Su TA. Site‐Selective Functionalization of Sila‐Adamantane and Its Ensuing Optical Effects. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202206877. [DOI: 10.1002/anie.202206877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Timothy C. Siu
- Department of Chemistry University of California Riverside CA 92521 USA
| | | | - Jacob Seo
- Department of Chemistry University of California Riverside CA 92521 USA
| | - Kirllos Boctor
- Department of Chemistry University of California Riverside CA 92521 USA
| | - Miku G. Shimono
- Department of Chemistry University of California Riverside CA 92521 USA
| | - Isabelle T. Tran
- Department of Chemistry University of California Riverside CA 92521 USA
| | - Veronica Carta
- Department of Chemistry University of California Riverside CA 92521 USA
| | - Timothy A. Su
- Department of Chemistry University of California Riverside CA 92521 USA
- Materials Science and Engineering Program University of California Riverside CA 92521 USA
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7
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Siu TC, Imex Aguirre Cardenas M, Seo J, Boctor K, Shimono MG, Tran IT, Carta V, Su TA. Site‐Selective Functionalization of Sila‐Adamantane and Its Ensuing Optical Effects. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202206877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Timothy C. Siu
- Department of Chemistry University of California Riverside CA 92521 USA
| | | | - Jacob Seo
- Department of Chemistry University of California Riverside CA 92521 USA
| | - Kirllos Boctor
- Department of Chemistry University of California Riverside CA 92521 USA
| | - Miku G. Shimono
- Department of Chemistry University of California Riverside CA 92521 USA
| | - Isabelle T. Tran
- Department of Chemistry University of California Riverside CA 92521 USA
| | - Veronica Carta
- Department of Chemistry University of California Riverside CA 92521 USA
| | - Timothy A. Su
- Department of Chemistry University of California Riverside CA 92521 USA
- Materials Science and Engineering Program University of California Riverside CA 92521 USA
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Garner MH, Koerstz M, Jensen JH, Solomon GC. Substituent Control of σ-Interference Effects in the Transmission of Saturated Molecules. ACS PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY AU 2022; 2:282-288. [PMID: 36855417 PMCID: PMC9955259 DOI: 10.1021/acsphyschemau.2c00016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The single-molecule conductance of saturated molecules can potentially be fully suppressed by destructive quantum interference in their σ-system. However, only few molecules with σ-interference have been identified, and the structure-property relationship remains to be elucidated. Here, we explore the role of substituents in modulating the electronic transmission of saturated molecules. In functionalized bicyclo[2.2.2]octanes, the transmission is suppressed by σ-interference when fluorine substituents are applied. For bicyclo[2.2.2]octasilane and -octagermanes, the transmission is suppressed when carbon-based substituents are used, and such molecules are likely to be highly insulating. For the carbon-based substituents, we find a strong correlation between the appropriate Hammett constants and the transmission. The substituent effect enables systematic optimization of the insulating properties of saturated molecular cores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc H. Garner
- Nano-Science
Center, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 5, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark,Department
of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 5, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Mads Koerstz
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 5, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Jan H. Jensen
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 5, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Gemma C. Solomon
- Nano-Science
Center, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 5, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark,Department
of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 5, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark,
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