An MCBJ case study: The influence of π-conjugation on the single-molecule conductance at a solid/liquid interface

Wenjing Hong; Hennie Valkenier; Gábor Mészáros; David Zsolt Manrique; Artem Mishchenko; Alexander Putz; Pavel Moreno García; Colin J. Lambert; Jan C. Hummelen; Thomas Wandlowski

doi:10.3762/bjnano.2.76

Beilstein Journal of Nanotechnology (Oct 2011)

An MCBJ case study: The influence of π-conjugation on the single-molecule conductance at a solid/liquid interface

Wenjing Hong,
Hennie Valkenier,
Gábor Mészáros,
David Zsolt Manrique,
Artem Mishchenko,
Alexander Putz,
Pavel Moreno García,
Colin J. Lambert,
Jan C. Hummelen,
Thomas Wandlowski

Affiliations

Wenjing Hong: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern, Freiesstrasse 3, CH-3012, Bern, Switzerland
Hennie Valkenier: Stratingh Institute for Chemistry and Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
Gábor Mészáros: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern, Freiesstrasse 3, CH-3012, Bern, Switzerland
David Zsolt Manrique: Lancaster University, Department of Physics, Lancaster LA1 4YB, England
Artem Mishchenko: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern, Freiesstrasse 3, CH-3012, Bern, Switzerland
Alexander Putz: Institute of Bio- and Nanosystems IBN 3 and Center of Nanoelectronic Systems for Informational Technology, Research Center Juelich, D-52425 Juelich, Germany
Pavel Moreno García: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern, Freiesstrasse 3, CH-3012, Bern, Switzerland
Colin J. Lambert: Lancaster University, Department of Physics, Lancaster LA1 4YB, England
Jan C. Hummelen: Stratingh Institute for Chemistry and Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
Thomas Wandlowski: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern, Freiesstrasse 3, CH-3012, Bern, Switzerland

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3762/bjnano.2.76
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 2, no. 1
pp. 699 – 713

Abstract

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π-Conjugation plays an important role in charge transport through single molecular junctions. We describe in this paper the construction of a mechanically controlled break-junction setup (MCBJ) equipped with a highly sensitive log I–V converter in order to measure ultralow conductances of molecular rods trapped between two gold leads. The current resolution of the setup reaches down to 10 fA. We report single-molecule conductance measurements of an anthracene-based linearly conjugated molecule (AC), of an anthraquinone-based cross-conjugated molecule (AQ), and of a dihydroanthracene-based molecule (AH) with a broken conjugation. The quantitative analysis of complementary current–distance and current–voltage measurements revealed details of the influence of π-conjugation on the single-molecule conductance.

Published in Beilstein Journal of Nanotechnology

ISSN: 2190-4286 (Online)
Publisher: Beilstein-Institut
Country of publisher: Germany
LCC subjects: Technology: Chemical technology; Science: Physics
Website: http://www.beilstein-journals.org/bjnano/home/home.htm

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