Concepts in the design and engineering of single-molecule electronic devices

Xin, Na; Guan, Jianxin; Zhou, Chenguang; Chen, Xinjiani; Gu, Chunhui; Liu, Yu; Ratner, Mark A.; Nitzan, Abraham; Stoddart, J. Fraser; Guo, Xuefeng

doi:10.1038/s42254-019-0022-x

“…While the HOMO orbital is closer to the Fermi level, the carrier is hole, otherwise, the carrier is electron . Currently, most studies on anchoring groups are based on metal and carbon‐based electrodes, and a more detailed analysis about of the effect of different anchoring groups on conductance can be found in reference literature . However, the electron transport properties of asymmetric electrode structure with different anchoring groups have rarely been investigated.…”

Section: Nanoscale Organic Thermoelectric Devicesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nanoscale Organic Thermoelectric Materials: Measurement, Theoretical Models, and Optimization Strategies

Zeng

¹

,

Wu

²

,

Cao

³

et al. 2019

Adv Funct Materials

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The demands for waste heat energy recovery from industrial production, solar energy, and electronic devices have resulted in increasing attention being focused on thermoelectric materials. Over the past two decades, significant progress is achieved in inorganic thermoelectric materials. In addition, with the proliferation of wireless mobile devices, economical, efficient, lightweight, and bio‐friendly organic thermoelectric (OTE) materials have gradually become promising candidates for thermoelectric devices used in room‐temperature environments. With the development of experimental measurement techniques, the manufacturing for nanoscale thermoelectric devices has become possible. A large number of studies have demonstrated the excellent performance of nanoscale thermoelectric devices, and further improvement of their thermoelectric conversion efficiency is expected to have a significant impact on global energy consumption. Here, the development of experimental measurement methods, theoretical models, and performance modulation for nanoscale OTE materials are summarized. Suggestions and prospects for the future development of these devices are also provided.

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“…[1] In the field of molecular-scale electronics,t hey serve as contact points between conductive molecules and electrode surfaces.T he strength of binding interactions and extent of electronic coupling between an anchor group and an electrode are important factors when designing conductive organic materials. [2] Forf undamental studies,a na nchor able to form ac onductive junction with alifetime longer than amolecular conductance experiment is adequate.H owever,w hen working towards the goal of functional devices based on conductive molecules, [2a] such as thermoelectric generators [3] and Peltier coolers, [4] strengthening the interactions between these molecules and electrode surfaces is necessary to achieve effective device lifetime and performance.Improved anchor groups can also result in more ordered surface assemblies.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Thiols,t hioethers,a nd pyridines,a mongst others,a re common anchor groups in fundamental molecular conductance studies using gold surfaces. [2] Recently,s everal new anchor groups have been designed to exhibit increased affinity for gold surfaces,with various applications. [1a-c, 5] Some examples pertinent to molecular electronics are shown in Figure S1.29 in the Supporting Information (SI).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Carbazole‐Based Tetrapodal Anchor Groups for Gold Surfaces: Synthesis and Conductance Properties

O’Driscoll

¹

,

Wang

²

,

Jay

³

et al. 2019

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As the field of molecular‐scale electronics matures and the prospect of devices incorporating molecular wires becomes more feasible, it is necessary to progress from the simple anchor groups used in fundamental conductance studies to more elaborate anchors designed with device stability in mind. This study presents a series of oligo(phenylene‐ethynylene) wires with one tetrapodal anchor and a phenyl or pyridyl head group. The new anchors are designed to bind strongly to gold surfaces without disrupting the conductance pathway of the wires. Conductive probe atomic force microscopy (cAFM) was used to determine the conductance of self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs) of the wires in Au–SAM–Pt and Au–SAM–graphene junctions, from which the conductance per molecule was derived. For tolane‐type wires, mean conductances per molecule of up to 10−4.37 G0 (Pt) and 10−3.78 G0 (graphene) were measured, despite limited electronic coupling to the Au electrode, demonstrating the potential of this approach. Computational studies of the surface binding geometry and transport properties rationalise and support the experimental results.

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“…For fundamental studies, an anchor able to form a conductive junction with a lifetime longer than a molecular conductance experiment is adequate. However, when working towards the goal of functional devices based on conductive molecules, such as thermoelectric generators and Peltier coolers, strengthening the interactions between these molecules and electrode surfaces is necessary to achieve effective device lifetime and performance. Improved anchor groups can also result in more ordered surface assemblies.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Tripodal anchors often incorporate an sp 3 ‐hybridised carbon centre to induce the desired geometry. High molecular conductance is associated with conjugation, meaning that sp 3 ‐hybridisation is considered undesirable in conductive materials, although a study of a pyridine‐anchored tripod describes contrasting results . Positioning the sp 3 ‐centre outside the conductance pathway of the molecule can avoid any impact on conductance .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Carbazole‐Based Tetrapodal Anchor Groups for Gold Surfaces: Synthesis and Conductance Properties

O’Driscoll

¹

,

Wang

²

,

Jay

³

et al. 2019

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

As the field of molecular‐scale electronics matures and the prospect of devices incorporating molecular wires becomes more feasible, it is necessary to progress from the simple anchor groups used in fundamental conductance studies to more elaborate anchors designed with device stability in mind. This study presents a series of oligo(phenylene‐ethynylene) wires with one tetrapodal anchor and a phenyl or pyridyl head group. The new anchors are designed to bind strongly to gold surfaces without disrupting the conductance pathway of the wires. Conductive probe atomic force microscopy (cAFM) was used to determine the conductance of self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs) of the wires in Au–SAM–Pt and Au–SAM–graphene junctions, from which the conductance per molecule was derived. For tolane‐type wires, mean conductances per molecule of up to 10−4.37 G0 (Pt) and 10−3.78 G0 (graphene) were measured, despite limited electronic coupling to the Au electrode, demonstrating the potential of this approach. Computational studies of the surface binding geometry and transport properties rationalise and support the experimental results.

show abstract

Concepts in the design and engineering of single-molecule electronic devices

Cited by 381 publications

References 209 publications

Nanoscale Organic Thermoelectric Materials: Measurement, Theoretical Models, and Optimization Strategies

Nanoscale Organic Thermoelectric Materials: Measurement, Theoretical Models, and Optimization Strategies

Carbazole‐Based Tetrapodal Anchor Groups for Gold Surfaces: Synthesis and Conductance Properties

Carbazole‐Based Tetrapodal Anchor Groups for Gold Surfaces: Synthesis and Conductance Properties

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