Self-Assembly of a Two-Dimensional Superlattice of Molecularly Linked Metal Clusters

Abstract

Close-packed planar arrays of nanometer-diameter metal clusters that are covalently linked to each other by rigid, double-ended organic molecules have been self-assembled. Gold nanocrystals, each encapsulated by a monolayer of alkyl thiol molecules, were cast from a colloidal solution onto a flat substrate to form a close-packed cluster monolayer. Organic interconnects (aryl dithiols or aryl di-isonitriles) displaced the alkyl thiol molecules and covalently linked adjacent clusters in the monolayer to form a two-dimensional superlattice of metal quantum dots coupled by uniform tunnel junctions. Electrical conductance through such a superlattice of 3.7-nanometer-diameter gold clusters, deposited on a SiO 2 substrate in the gap between two gold contacts and linked by an aryl di-isonitrile [1,4-di(4-isocyanophenylethynyl)-2-ethylbenzene], exhibited nonlinear Coulomb charging behavior.

Nanorings and rods interconnected by self-assembly mimicking an artificial network of neurons

“…1, compounds 4 and 5). The use of such building blocks with a rotationally free axle was hence (1)(2)(3)(4)(5) are shown at the left and the metal centres used are indicated in each case. In blue, the basic molecular scaffold used as template for the Schiff base complexes; in black and magenta, structural motifs incorporated to fine-tune the self-assembly behaviour of the complexes.…”

“…The latter can act as either logic gates or molecular wires for the transport of individual electrons, photons or magnetic moment in a similar way as observed for natural networks of neurons that serve as the basis for information processing and storage in the brains of living organisms [2][3][4][5][6] . However, current approaches for developing molecularly interconnected networks mainly rely on covalent chemistry 7,8 .…”

Light-Controlled Conductance Switching of Ordered Metal−Molecule−Metal Devices

“…[30][31][32] In this way, we create an active metamaterial, based on a combination of two nano-objects. The role of the nanoparticles is to define a highly ordered, two-dimensional template.…”

Thin films of size-selected Mo clusters: growth modes and structures

“…15,16 Ligand shells may protect the particles from coalescence. 17 However, such shells isolate the clusters from the environment and for several applications such as in catalysis bare clusters are required. Only very few examples of materials built from ligand-free clusters are known.…”