Molecular Tips for Scanning Tunneling Microscopy: Intermolecular Electron Tunneling for Single-molecule Recognition and Electronics

Abstract

This paper reviews the development of molecular tips for scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). Molecular tips offer many advantages: first is their ability to perform chemically selective imaging because of chemical interactions between the sample and the molecular tip, thus improving a major drawback of conventional STM. Rational design of the molecular tip allows sophisticated chemical recognition; e.g., chiral recognition and selective visualization of atomic defects in carbon nanotubes. Another advantage is that they provide a unique method to quantify electron transfer between single molecules. Understanding such electron transfer is mandatory for the realization of molecular electronics.

Measurement of Electron Transfer within a Single Supramolecular Assembly Containing a Biological Molecule

“…[1][2][3][4][5] Moreover, these junctions hold a significant importance in sensing applications. 6 Examples of such analytical applications include single-molecule detection of DNA, [7][8][9][10] peptides, 11 and glucose. 12 Single-molecule junctions can be reliably prepared based on a break-junction technique using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM).…”