Single molecule electronics and devices

Design, Transport/Molecular Scale Electronics, Electric Properties, and a Conventional Quantum Study of a New Potential Molecular Switch for Nanoelectronic Devices

In this study, we examined the influence of an external electric field applied in two directions: horizontal (X-axis) and vertical (Y-axis) on the electronic and vibrational properties of a field-effect molecular switch, denoted as M. We employed density functional theory and quantum theory of atoms in molecules for this analysis. The current-voltage (I-V) characteristic curve of molecular switch system M was computed by applying the Landauer formula. The results showed that the switching mechanism depends on the direction of the electric field. When the electric field is applied along the X-axis and its intensity is around 0.01 au, OFF/ON switching mechanisms occur. By utilizing electronic localization functions and localized-orbital locator topological analysis, we observed significant intramolecular electronic charge transfer "back and forth" in Au-M-Au systems when compared to the isolated system. The noncovalent interaction revealed that the Au-M-Au complex is also stabilized by electrostatic interactions. However, if the electric field is applied along the Y-axis, a switching mechanism (OFF/ON) occurs when the electric field intensity reaches 0.008 au. Additionally, the local electronic phenomenological coefficients (Lelec) of this field-effect molecular switch were determined by using the Onsager phenomenological approach. It can also be predicted that the molecular electrical conductance (G) increases as Lelec increases. Finally, the electronic and vibrational properties of the proposed models M and Au-M-Au exhibit a powerful switching mechanism that may potentially be employed in a new generation of electronic devices.

Stereoelectronic Switches of Single-Molecule Junctions through Conformation-Modulated Intramolecular Coupling Approaches

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.

Chemical Sensors using Single-Molecule Electrical Measurements

Driven by the digitization and informatization of contemporary society, electrical sensors are developing toward minimal structure, intelligent function, and high detection resolution. Single-molecule electrical measurement techniques have been proven to be capable of label-free molecular recognition and detection, which opens a new strategy for the design of efficient single-molecule detection sensors. In this review, we outline the main advances and potentials of single-molecule electronics for qualitative identification and recognition assays at the single-molecule level. Strategies for single-molecule electro-sensing and its main applications are reviewed, mainly in the detection of ions, small molecules, oligomers, genetic materials, and proteins. This review summarizes the remaining challenges in the current development of single-molecule electrical sensing and presents some potential perspectives for this field.

Single-Molecule Chemical Reactions Unveiled in Molecular Junctions

Understanding chemical processes at the single-molecule scale represents the ultimate limit of analytical chemistry. Single-molecule detection techniques allow one to reveal the detailed dynamics and kinetics of a chemical reaction with unprecedented accuracy. It has also enabled the discoveries of new reaction pathways or intermediates/transition states that are inaccessible in conventional ensemble experiments, which is critical to elucidating their intrinsic mechanisms. Thanks to the rapid development of single-molecule junction (SMJ) techniques, detecting chemical reactions via monitoring the electrical current through single molecules has received an increasing amount of attention and has witnessed tremendous advances in recent years. Research efforts in this direction have opened a new route for probing chemical and physical processes with single-molecule precision. This review presents detailed advancements in probing single-molecule chemical reactions using SMJ techniques. We specifically highlight recent progress in investigating electric-field-driven reactions, reaction dynamics and kinetics, host–guest interactions, and redox reactions of different molecular systems. Finally, we discuss the potential of single-molecule detection using SMJs across various future applications.

Spectral investigation on single molecular optoelectronics of ladder phenylenes

Atomic chains and organic conjugated molecules are of great important research value in molecular optoelectronics, due to their special optoelectronic properties. The fully conjugated nature of ladder phenylenes (LPs) provide some unique properties that have potential applications in the fabrication of molecular electronics devices. Our results reveal optoelectronic properties apply density function theory and non-equilibrium green's function theory, including unit-dependent light absorption, Raman scattering, phonon energy band structure, the chemical potential dependent density of states, electrical conductivity, I-V curve, transmission spectrum, etc. Our research provides theoretical guidance for the regulation of light-harvesting regions based on LPs structures, and theoretical support for the design of nano-scale optoelectronic devices.

Single-Molecule Junction: A Reliable Platform for Monitoring Molecular Physical and Chemical Processes

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.

Electrostatically-gated molecular rotors

The ability to control molecular-scale motion using electrostatic interactions was demonstrated using an N-phenylsuccinimide molecular rotor with an electrostatic pyridyl-gate. Protonation of the pyridal-gate forms stabilizing electrostatic interactions in the...

A multiconfiguration pair-density functional theory-based approach to molecular junctions

Due to their small size and unique properties, single-molecule electronics have long seen research interest from experimentalists and theoreticians alike. From a theoretical standpoint, modeling these systems using electronic structure theory can be difficult due to the importance of electron correlation in the determination of molecular properties, and this electron correlation can be computationally expensive to consider, particularly multiconfigurational correlation energy. In this work, we develop a new approach for the study of single-molecule electronic systems, denoted NEGF-MCPDFT, which combines multiconfiguration pair-density functional theory (MCPDFT) with the non-equilibrium Green's function formalism (NEGF). The use of MCPDFT with NEGF allows for the efficient inclusion of both static and dynamic electron correlations in the description of the junction's electronic structure. Complete active space self-consistent field wave functions are used as references in the MCPDFT calculation, and as with any active space method, effort must be made to determine the proper orbital character to include in the active space. We perform conductance and transmission calculations on a series of alkanes (predominantly single-configurational character) and benzyne (multiconfigurational character), exploring the role that active space selection has on the computed results. For the alkane junctions explored (where dynamic electron correlation dominates), the MCPDFT-NEGF results agree well with the DFT-NEGF results. For the benzyne junction (which has a significant static correlation), we see clear differences in the MCPDFT-NEGF and DFT-NEGF results and evidence that NEGF-MCPDFT is capturing additional electron correlation effects beyond those provided by the Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof functional.

Effect of Contact Geometry on Spin Transport in Amine-Ended Single-Molecule Magnetic Junctions

We employ the first-principles calculation with non-equilibrium Green's function method to comprehensively investigate the crucial role of interfacial geometry in spin transport properties of Co/1,4-benzenediamine (BDA)/Co single-molecule magnetic junctions (SMMJs). Two bonding mechanisms are proposed for the hard-hard Co-N coupling: (1) the covalent bonding between the H-dissociated amine linker and spin-polarized Co apex atoms and (2) the dative interaction between the H-non-dissociated (denoted by +H) amine linker and Co apex atoms. The former covalent contact dominates the π-resonance interfacial spin selection that can be well preserved in H-dissociated cases regardless of the choice of top, bridge, and hollow contact sites. From our detailed analyses of spin-polarized transmission spectra, local density of states, and molecular density of states, the underlying mechanism is that the strong hybridization between Co-d, N-p y , and the π-orbital of the phenyl ring in dissociated cases renders the 2-fold HOMO (4-fold LUMO) of the central molecule closer to the Fermi energy. In contrast, the enlarged Co-N bond length of the latter dative contact in the H-non-dissociated case not only destroys the spinterface coupling but also blocks the spin injection. This theoretical work may provide vital and practical insights to illustrate the spin transport property in real amine-ended SMMJs since the contact geometries and interfacial bond mechanisms remain unclear during the breaking junction technique.

Single-Molecule Conductance of a π-Hybridized Tripodal Anchor while Maintaining Electronic Communication

Direct hybridization between the π-orbital of a conjugated molecule and metal electrodes is recognized as a new anchoring strategy to enhance the electrical conductance of single-molecule junctions. The anchor is expected to maintain direct hybridization between the conjugated molecule and the metal electrodes, and control the orientation of the molecule against the metal electrodes. However, fulfilling both requirements is difficult because multipodal anchors aiming at a robust contact with the electrodes often break the π-conjugation, thereby resulting in an inefficient carrier transport. Herein, a new tripodal anchor framework-a 7,7-diphenyl-7H-benzo[6,7]indeno[1,2-b]thiophene (PBIT) derivative-is developed. In this framework, π-conjugation is maintained in the molecular junction, and the tripodal structure makes the molecule stand upright on the metal electrode. Molecular conductance is measured by the break junction technique. A vector-based classification and first-principles transport calculations determine the single-molecule conductance of the tripodal-anchoring structure. The conductance of the PBIT-based molecule is higher than that of the tripodal anchor having sp³ carbon atoms in the carrier transport pathway. These results demonstrate that extending the π-conjugation to the tripodal leg is an effective strategy for enhancing the conductivities of single-molecule junctions.

8-(Pyridin-2-yl)quinolin-7-ol as a Platform for Conjugated Proton Cranes: A DFT Structural Design

Theoretical design of conjugated proton cranes, based on 7-hydroxyquinoline as a tautomeric sub-unit, has been attempted by using ground and excited state density functional theory (DFT) calculations in various environments. The proton crane action request existence of a single enol tautomer in ground state, which under excitation goes to the excited keto tautomer through a series of consecutive excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) steps with the participation of the crane sub-unit. A series of substituted pyridines was used as crane sub-units and the corresponding donor-acceptor interactions were evaluated. The results suggest that the introduction of strong electron donor substituents in the pyridine ring creates optimal conditions for 8-(pyridin-2-yl)quinolin-7-ols to act as proton cranes.

Single-Electron Currents in Designer Single-Cluster Devices

Atomically precise clusters can be used to create single-electron devices wherein a single redox-active cluster is connected to two macroscopic electrodes via anchoring ligands. Unlike single-electron devices comprising nanocrystals, these cluster-based devices can be fabricated with atomic precision. This affords an unprecedented level of control over the device properties. Herein, we design a series of cobalt chalcogenide clusters with varying ligand geometries and core nuclearities to control their current-voltage (I-V) characteristics in a scanning tunneling microscope-based break junction (STM-BJ) device. First, the device geometry is modified by precisely positioning junction-anchoring ligands on the surface of the cluster. We show that the I-V characteristics are independent of ligand placement, confirming a sequential, single-electron tunneling mechanism. Next, we chemically fuse two clusters to realize a larger cluster dimer that behaves as a single electronic unit, possessing a smaller reorganization energy and more accessible redox states than the monomeric analogues. As a result, dimer-based devices exhibit significantly higher currents and can even be pushed to current saturation at high bias. Owing to these controllable properties, single-cluster junctions serve as an excellent platform for exploring incoherent charge transport processes at the nanoscale. With this understanding, as well as properties such as nonlinear I-V characteristics and rectification, these molecular clusters may function as conductive inorganic nodes in new devices and materials.

Quantum Interference and Nonequilibrium Josephson Currents in Molecular Andreev Interferometers

We study the quantum interference (QI) effects in three-terminal Andreev interferometers based on polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) under non-equilibrium conditions. The Andreev interferometer consists of a PAH coupled to two superconducting and one normal conducting terminals. We calculate the current measured in the normal lead as well as the current between the superconducting terminals under non-equilibrium conditions. We show that both the QI arising in the PAH cores and the bias voltage applied to a normal contact have a fundamental effect on the charge distribution associated with the Andreev Bound States (ABSs). QI can lead to a peculiar dependence of the normal current on the superconducting phase difference that was not observed in earlier studies of mesoscopic Andreev interferometers. We explain our results by an induced asymmetry in the spatial distribution of the electron- and hole-like quasiparticles. The non-equilibrium charge occupation induced in the central PAH core can result in a π transition in the current-phase relation of the supercurrent for large enough applied bias voltage on the normal lead. The asymmetry in the spatial distribution of the electron- and hole-like quasiparticles might be used to split Cooper pairs and hence to produce entangled electrons in four terminal setups.

Thermally activated charge transport in carbon atom chains

Charge transport through single molecules is at the heart of molecular electronics for realizing the practical use of the rich quantum characteristics of electrode-molecule-electrode systems. Despite the extensive studies reported in the past, little experimental efforts have been focused on the electron transport mechanism at a temperature higher than the ambient temperature. In this work, we have reported the observation of the subtle interplay between electron tunneling and charge hopping in carbon chains connected to two Au electrodes at elevated temperatures. We measured the single-molecule conductance of Au-alkanedithiol-Au molecular junctions at various temperatures from 300 K to 420 K in vacuum. The temperature dependence of conductance suggested substantial roles of superexchange with inter-chain charge hopping under elevated temperatures for alkane chains longer than heptane. This finding provides a guide to design functional molecular junctions under practical conditions.

Lateral scaling and positioning effects of top-gate electrodes on single-molecule field-effect transistors

Molecular electronics aims at integrating controllable molecular devices into circuits or machines to realize certain functions. According to device configuration, molecular field-effect transistors with top-gate electrodes have great advantages for integration. Nevertheless, from technical aspects, it is difficult to control lateral scale and position of a top-gate electrode precisely. Therefore, one problem arises in how lateral scaling and positioning effects of a top-gate electrode affect device performance. To solve this problem, the electronic transport properties of single-molecule field-effect transistor configurations modulated by a series of partial-scale top-gate electrodes with different lateral scales and positions are studied by using non-equilibrium Green's function in combination with density functional theory, and compared with those of the full gate electrode (can be considered as a bottom gate electrode). The results show that lateral scaling and positioning effects indeed have a great impact on electronic transport properties of single-molecule field-effect transistor configurations. For [Formula: see text]-saturated 1,12-dodecanedithiol devices, larger lateral scale of a partial-scale top-gate electrode obtains larger amplification coefficient [Formula: see text] (ratio of device conductances with/without a gate electrode), and even larger [Formula: see text] than that of the full gate electrode. While lateral positioning effect has little influence on this device. For [Formula: see text]-conjugated 1,3,5,7,9,11-dodehexaene-1,12-dithiol devices, performance of a partial-scale top-gate electrode mainly depends on locations of its two edges, i.e. the number of [Formula: see text] bonds that it breaks. These results will provide theoretical directions in device designing and manufacturing in the future.

Paving the way to single-molecule chemistry through molecular electronics

Since our understanding of single-molecule junctions, in which single molecules are connected between nanoelectrodes, has deepened, we have paved the way to single-molecule chemistry. Herein, we review fundamental properties, including the number of molecules connected to the electrode, their structure and type, the bonding force between the single molecule and electrode and the thermopower and quantum interference in single-molecule junctions. Additionally, we review the application of single-molecule junctions to biomolecules. Finally, we explore single-molecule chemical reaction analysis, which is one direction of single-molecule junction research.

Breakdown of Curly Arrow Rules in Anthraquinone

Understanding and controlling quantum interference (QI) in single molecules is fundamental to the development of QI-based single-molecule electronics. Simple rules such as counting rules, curly arrow rules (CARs), circuit rules, and more recently magic ratio rules have been developed to predict QI patterns in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. CARs are widely used to predict destructive QI. Here we examine the validity of CARs in fully conjugated anthracene and dihydroxyanthracene, cross-conjugated anthraquinone, and broken conjugated dihydroanthracene attached to either graphene or gold electrodes through π-π stacking or thiol and Au-C anchors. For the first time, we demonstrate that CARs break down in molecular junctions formed by cross-conjugated anthraquinone. In contrast with the destructive QI predicted by CARs for a meta-connected anthraquinone core, we demonstrate that QI is constructive. This behavior is independent of the choice of electrode material or anchor groups. This is significant, because by changing the redox state of meta-connected dihydroxyanthracene to form meta-connected anthraquinone, the conductance of the junction increases by a couple of orders of magnitude due to the crossover from constructive to destructive QI. This opens new avenues for realization of QI-based single-molecule switches.

Electric-field induced bistability in single-molecule conductance measurements for boron coordinated curcuminoid compounds

We have studied the single-molecule conductance of a family of curcuminoid molecules (CCMs) using the mechanically controlled break junction (MCBJ) technique. The CCMs under study contain methylthio (MeS-) as anchoring groups: MeS-CCM (1), the free-ligand organic molecule, and two coordination compounds, MeS-CCM-BF2 (2) and MeS-CCM-Cu (3), where ligand 1 coordinates to a boron center (BF2 group) and to a CuII moiety, respectively. We found that the three molecules present stable molecular junctions allowing detailed statistical analysis of their electronic properties. Compound 3 shows a slight increase in the conductance with respect to free ligand 1, whereas incorporation of BF2 (compound 2) promotes the presence of two conductance states in the measurements. Additional experiments with control molecules point out that this bistability is related to the combination of MeS- anchoring groups and the BF2 moiety within the structure of the molecules. Theoretical calculations show that this can be explained by the presence of two conformers once compound 2 is anchored between the gold electrodes. An energy minimum is found for a flat structure but there is a dramatic change in the magnitude and orientation of dipole moment (favouring a non-flat conformer in the presence of an external electric field) due to a conformational change of one of the terminal MeS- groups. The results thus point to an intricate interplay between the applied bias voltage and the molecule dipole moment which could be the basis for designing new molecules aiming at controlling their conformation in devices.

Bottom-Up Single-Electron Transistors

As the downscaling of conventional semiconductor electronics becomes more and more challenging, the interest in alternative material systems and fabrication methods is growing. A novel bottom-up approach for the fabrication of high-quality single-electron transistors (SETs) that can easily be contacted electrically in a controllable manner is developed. This approach employs the self-assembly of Au nanoparticles forming the SETs, and Au nanorods forming the leads to macroscopic electrodes, thus bridging the gap between the nano- and microscale. Low-temperature electron-transport measurements reveal exemplary single-electron tunneling characteristics. SET behavior can be significantly changed, post-fabrication, using molecular exchange of the tunnel barriers, demonstrating the tunability of the assemblies. These results form a promising proof of principle for the versatility of bottom-up nanoelectronics, and toward controlled fabrication of nanoelectronic devices.

First principle electron transport modeling of Be-doped organic molecular junctions

The transport properties of beryllium doped anthracene molecular junction are investigated using density functional non-equillibrium Green's function method. The equilibrium conductance of anthracene Metal-molecule-Metal (MmM) junction increases by approximately 77% by adding beryllium impurity to it. The electronic transport characteristics under both zero bias as well as finite bias are explored of such molecular junction. We observe novel attributes such as molecular rectification and NDR behavior for the molecular junction under consideration. It is found that the doping effect of Be- atom significantly changes the transport properties of aromatic molecular junction. Our findings shed light on the electron transport metrics that affect the conductance of MmM junctions within appreciable transmission limits. We firmly believe that the results deduced in this paper can be generalized for other aromatic molecular junctions as well.

Molecular floating-gate single-electron transistor

We investigated reversible switching behaviors of a molecular floating-gate single-electron transistor (MFG-SET). The device consists of a gold nanoparticle-based SET and a few tetra-tert-butyl copper phthalocyanine (ttbCuPc) molecules; each nanoparticle (NP) functions as a Coulomb island. The ttbCuPc molecules function as photoreactive floating gates, which reversibly change the potential of the Coulomb island depending on the charge states induced in the ttbCuPc molecules by light irradiation or by externally applied voltages. We found that single-electron charging of ttbCuPc leads to a potential shift in the Coulomb island by more than half of its charging energy. The first induced device state was sufficiently stable; the retention time was more than a few hours without application of an external voltage. Moreover, the device exhibited an additional state when irradiated with 700 nm light, corresponding to doubly charged ttbCuPc. The life time of this additional state was several seconds, which is much shorter than that of the first induced state. These results clearly demonstrate an alternative method utilizing the unique functionality of the single molecule in nanoelectronics devices, and the potential application of MFG-SETs for investigating molecular charging phenomena.

Detecting Electron Transport of Amino Acids by Using Conductance Measurement

The single molecular conductance of amino acids was measured by a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) break junction. Conductance measurement of alanine gives out two conductance values at 10^−1.85 G₀ (1095 nS) and 10^−3.7 G₀ (15.5 nS), while similar conductance values are also observed for aspartic acid and glutamic acid, which have one more carboxylic acid group compared with alanine. This may show that the backbone of NH₂–C–COOH is the primary means of electron transport in the molecular junction of aspartic acid and glutamic acid. However, NH₂–C–COOH is not the primary means of electron transport in the methionine junction, which may be caused by the strong interaction of the Au–SMe (methyl sulfide) bond for the methionine junction. The current work reveals the important role of the anchoring group in the electron transport in different amino acids junctions.

Multiscale Approach to the Study of the Electronic Properties of Two Thiophene Curcuminoid Molecules

We studied the electronic and conductance properties of two thiophene-curcuminoid molecules, 2-thphCCM (1) and 3-thphCCM (2), in which the only structural difference is the position of the sulfur atoms in the thiophene terminal groups. We used electrochemical techniques as well as UV/Vis absorption studies to obtain the values of the HOMO-LUMO band gap energies, showing that molecule 1 has lower values than 2. Theoretical calculations show the same trend. Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of these molecules were studied by using electrochemistry, showing that the interaction with gold reduces drastically the HOMO-LUMO gap in both molecules to almost the same value. Single-molecule conductance measurements show that molecule 2 has two different conductance values, whereas molecule 1 exhibits only one. Based on theoretical calculations, we conclude that the lowest conductance value, similar in both molecules, corresponds to a van der Waals interaction between the thiophene ring and the electrodes. The one order of magnitude higher conductance value for molecule 2 corresponds to a coordinate (dative covalent) interaction between the sulfur atoms and the gold electrodes.

Non-adiabatic molecular dynamic simulations of opening reaction of molecular junctions

We report non-adiabatic molecular dynamic simulations of the ring opening reaction of diarylethene (DAE) derivative molecules, both free standing and embedded between gold electrodes. Simulations are performed by the surface hopping method employing density functional theory. Typically, the free-standing molecules exhibit large quantum yields to open and close; however the process is quenched for the molecules embedded between electrodes. Our simulations reveal the importance of the DAE side chemical groups, which explain the efficiency of the quenching process. Namely, delocalization of the LUMO state contributes to electronic coupling between the molecule and electrodes, suppressing or enhancing the reaction process. The simulations indicate that a proper choice of the chemical side group, which provides the strong localization of the LUMO state, can substantially diminish the quenching mechanism. Additionally, we analyze a strong dependency of the quantum yield of the opening reaction coming from the mechanical strength of the molecules.

Thermo-voltage measurements of atomic contacts at low temperature

We report the development of a novel method to determine the thermopower of atomic-sized gold contacts at low temperature. For these measurements a mechanically controllable break junction (MCBJ) system is used and a laser source generates a temperature difference of a few kelvins across the junction to create a thermo-voltage. Since the temperature difference enters directly into the Seebeck coefficient S = -ΔV/ΔT, the determination of the temperature plays an important role. We present a method for the determination of the temperature difference using a combination of a finite element simulation, which reveals the temperature distribution of the sample, and the measurement of the resistance change due to laser heating of sensor leads on both sides next to the junction. Our results for the measured thermopower are in agreement with recent reports in the literature.

Revealing the Nature of Molecule-Electrode Contact in Tunneling Junctions Using Raw Data Heat Maps

Mechanistic understanding of charge transport through molecular tunnel junctions requires reproducible and statistically relevant data sets. This challenge has been overcome by development of large area junctions, especially those based on liquid-metal physi-sorbed top-electrodes, such as eutectic gallium-indium. A challenge with these junctions, however, is an inability to diagnose the quality of contact between the top-electrode and the SAMs. Since tunneling currents are dependent on the distance between the two electrodes, we demonstrate that by analyzing all raw unfitted data derived from a measurement using heat-maps, one can deduce the quality of contact and other minor bias-dependent fluctuations in the charge transport behavior. We demonstrate that the use of 3D plots would be challenging to interpret, but adoption of heat maps clearly captures details on junction quality irrespective of the total size of the data set or molecules used. We propose representation of raw data, rather than reliance on statistics, as proof of quality junctions.

Mechanically activated switching of Si-based single-molecule junction as imaged with three-dimensional dynamic probe

Understanding and extracting the full functions of single-molecule characteristics are key factors in the development of future device technologies, as well as in basic research on molecular electronics. Here we report a new methodology for realizing a three-dimensional (3D) dynamic probe of single-molecule conductance, which enables the elaborate 3D analysis of the conformational effect on molecular electronics, by the formation of a Si/single molecule/Si structure using scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM). The formation of robust covalent bonds between a molecule and Si electrodes, together with STM-related techniques, enables the stable and repeated control of the conformational modulation of the molecule. By 3D imaging of the conformational effect on a 1,4-diethynylbenzene molecule, a binary change in conductance with hysteresis is observed for the first time, which is considered to originate from a mechanically activated conformational change.

Mechanically induced conformational modulation can be used to control the conductance of single molecules junctions, but it is hard to be realized due to broken junctions. Here, the authors probe three-dimensional dynamics of Si/single-molecule/Si junctions, whose conductance shows a binary change.

Thiophene-based Tripodal Anchor Units for Hole Transport in Single-Molecule Junctions with Gold Electrodes

Molecule-metal junctions are inevitable for the realization of single-molecule electronics. In this study, we developed new tripodal anchors with electron-rich aromatic rings to achieve robust contact with gold electrodes, an effective hybridization of the π orbital with gold electrodes (π channel), and hole transport through π-channel hybridization. Cyclic voltammetry and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements of the monolayers indicated that the thiophene-based tripodal molecule exhibits anchoring characteristics as expected. The electrical conductance of thiophene-anchored bistripodal molecules using the scanning tunneling microscope (STM)-based break junction technique confirmed the formation of molecular junctions. The Seebeck coefficient of this compound estimated from thermoelectric voltage measurements using a STM was determined to be a positive value, which indicates that the charge carriers are holes. On the contrary, the corresponding pyridine-anchored molecules showed electron transport. These results reveal the versatility of π-channel tripodal anchors for the control of charge-carrier type in single-molecule electronics.

Electron and heat transport in porphyrin-based single-molecule transistors with electro-burnt graphene electrodes

We have studied the charge and thermal transport properties of a porphyrin-based single-molecule transistor with electro-burnt graphene electrodes (EBG) using the nonequilibrium Green's function method and density functional theory. The porphyrin-based molecule is bound to the EBG electrodes by planar aromatic anchor groups. Due to the efficient π-π overlap between the anchor groups and graphene and the location of frontier orbitals relative to the EBG Fermi energy, we predict HOMO-dominated transport. An on-off ratio as high as 150 is predicted for the device, which could be utilized with small gate voltages in the range of ±0.1 V. A positive thermopower of +280 μV/K is predicted for the device at the theoretical Fermi energy. The sign of the thermopower could be changed by tuning the Fermi energy. By gating the junction and changing the Fermi energy by +10 meV, this can be further enhanced to +475 μV/K. Although the electrodes and molecule are symmetric, the junction itself can be asymmetric due to different binding configurations at the electrodes. This can lead to rectification in the current-voltage characteristic of the junction.

High thermopower of mechanically stretched single-molecule junctions

Metal-molecule-metal junction is a promising candidate for thermoelectric applications that utilizes quantum confinement effects in the chemically defined zero-dimensional atomic structure to achieve enhanced dimensionless figure of merit ZT. A key issue in this new class of thermoelectric nanomaterials is to clarify the sensitivity of thermoelectricity on the molecular junction configurations. Here we report simultaneous measurements of the thermoelectric voltage and conductance on Au-1,4-benzenedithiol (BDT)-Au junctions mechanically-stretched in-situ at sub-nanoscale. We obtained the average single-molecule conductance and thermopower of 0.01 G0 and 15 μV/K, respectively, suggesting charge transport through the highest occupied molecular orbital. Meanwhile, we found the single-molecule thermoelectric transport properties extremely-sensitive to the BDT bridge configurations, whereby manifesting the importance to design the electrode-molecule contact motifs for optimizing the thermoelectric performance of molecular junctions.

Mechanical tuning of conductance and thermopower in helicene molecular junctions

Helicenes are inherently chiral polyaromatic molecules composed of all-ortho fused benzene rings possessing a spring-like structure. Here, using a combination of density functional theory and tight-binding calculations, it is demonstrated that controlling the length of the helicene molecule by mechanically stretching or compressing the molecular junction can dramatically change the electronic properties of the helicene, leading to a tunable switching behavior of the conductance and thermopower of the junction with on/off ratios of several orders of magnitude. Furthermore, control over the helicene length and number of rings is shown to lead to more than an order of magnitude increase in the thermopower and thermoelectric figure-of-merit over typical molecular junctions, presenting new possibilities of making efficient thermoelectric molecular devices. The physical origin of the strong dependence of the transport properties of the junction is investigated, and found to be related to a shift in the position of the molecular orbitals.

Rectifying Electron-Transport Properties through Stacks of Aromatic Molecules Inserted into a Self-Assembled Cage

Aromatic stacks formed through self-assembly are promising building blocks for the construction of molecular electronic devices with adjustable electronic functions, in which noncovalently bound π-stacks act as replaceable modular components. Here we describe the electron-transport properties of single-molecule aromatic stacks aligned in a self-assembled cage, using scanning probe microscopic and break junction methods. Same and different modular aromatic pairs are noncovalently bound and stacked within the molecular cage holder, which leads to diverse electronic functions. The insertion of same pairs induces high electronic conductivity (10(-3)-10(-2) G0, G0 = 2e(2)/h), while different pairs develop additional electronic rectification properties. The rectification ratio was, respectively, estimated to be 1.4-2 and >10 in current-voltage characteristics and molecular orientation-dependent conductance measurements at a fixed bias voltage. Theoretical calculations demonstrate that this rectification behavior originates from the distinct stacking order of the internal aromatic components against the electron-transport direction and the corresponding lowest unoccupied molecular orbital conduction channels localized on one side of the molecular junctions.

Integrated nanotubes, etch tracks, and nanoribbons in crystallographic alignment to a graphene lattice

Carbon nanotubes, few-layer graphene, and etch tracks exposing insulating SiO2 regions are integrated into nanoscale systems with precise crystallographic orientations. These integrated systems consist of nanotubes grown across nanogap etch tracks and nanoribbons formed within the few-layer graphene films. This work is relevant to the integration of semiconducting, conducting, and insulating nanomaterials together into precise intricate systems.

Thermoelectric voltage measurements of atomic and molecular wires using microheater-embedded mechanically-controllable break junctions

We developed a method for simultaneous measurements of conductance and thermopower of atomic and molecular junctions by using a microheater-embedded mechanically-controllable break junction. We find linear increase in the thermoelectric voltage of Au atomic junctions with the voltage added to the heater. We also detect thermopower oscillations at several conductance quanta reflecting the quantum confinement effects in the atomic wire. Under high heater voltage conditions, on the other hand, we observed a peculiar behaviour in the conductance dependent thermopower, which was ascribed to a disordered contact structure under elevated temperatures.

Single-molecule electronics: from chemical design to functional devices

The use of single molecules in electronics represents the next limit of miniaturisation of electronic devices, which would enable to continue the trend of aggressive downscaling of silicon-based electronic devices.

Mechanically controllable break junctions for molecular electronics

A mechanically controllable break junction (MCBJ) represents a fundamental technique for the investigation of molecular electronic junctions, especially for the study of the electronic properties of single molecules. With unique advantages, the MCBJ technique has provided substantial insight into charge transport processes in molecules. In this review, the techniques for sample fabrication, operation and the various applications of MCBJs are introduced and the history, challenges and future of MCBJs are discussed.