Guiding Students to Understand the Nanoscale Charge Transport by the Mechanically Controllable Break Junction Technique

Abstract

Fabrication of molecular devices will meet the demands of the miniaturization of traditional electronic devices. Although microfabrication based on the complementary metal-oxide–semiconductor process can fabricate high-quality single-molecule devices, the cost is high, leading to a challenge to provide a hands-on experiment in the teaching practice of charge transport through single-molecule devices. Here, we demonstrate the low cost and simple procedures associated with a mechanically controllable break junction (MCBJ) technique to fabricate single-molecule devices. On the basis of the MCBJ technique, the conductance of gold–gold atomic contacts and single-molecule junctions can be readily characterized. The teaching practice helps students understand charge transport at the single-molecule level, that is, the quantum tunneling mechanisms. Moreover, the MCBJ technique study provides students the opportunity to develop interdisciplinary thinking, which is vital for understanding, designing, and developing single-molecule electronics.

A Teaching-Learning Framework for Materials Characterization

“…9−17 Furthermore, subject benchmark statements have been outlined to assist educators in identifying the core concepts within the field. 18 However, while various teaching guidelines have been developed for the broader field of solid-state chemistry, including theoretical frameworks 19−22 and teaching activities based on advanced experimental methods 23,24 and through-research schemes, 25,26 it is worth noting that the development of specific educational frameworks tailored to the domain of materials characterization has been comparatively limited. 27,28 This study presents a comprehensive teaching and learning framework whose structure is built upon existing frameworks and expands to introduce pedagogical schemes aimed at promoting active learning and developing research skills.…”

“…To overcome the challenges faced by educators, various teaching tools for materials characterization have been developed; these include textbooks, handbooks, and online resources that comprise databases of lecture notes, instructional videos, multimedia platforms, and virtual learning environments. − Furthermore, subject benchmark statements have been outlined to assist educators in identifying the core concepts within the field . However, while various teaching guidelines have been developed for the broader field of solid-state chemistry, including theoretical frameworks − and teaching activities based on advanced experimental methods , and through-research schemes, , it is worth noting that the development of specific educational frameworks tailored to the domain of materials characterization has been comparatively limited. , …”

Molecular Insights into Marcuss Theory: An Ab Initio Quantum Chemistry Computational Lab Practice for Charge Transfer Kinetics Pedagogy

“…When the molecule serves as a molecular conductor bridging two metal leads, the charge transfer rate becomes measurable conduction of the molecule, which is known as the molecular junction and molecular electronics, as shown in Figure a. − The electronic coupling and ROE are also at the heart of these studies as they determine the conductance and functionality of molecular-based nanodevices. , However, direct experimental observation of these parameters is still facing a significant challenge.…”