Molecular switching by proton-coupled electron transport drives giant negative differential resistance

Qian Zhang; Yulong Wang; Cameron Nickle; Ziyu Zhang; Andrea Leoncini; Dong-Chen Qi; Kai Sotthewes; Alessandro Borrini; Harold J. W. Zandvliet; Enrique del Barco; Damien Thompson; Christian A. Nijhuis

doi:10.1038/s41467-024-52496-y

Nature Communications (Sep 2024)

Molecular switching by proton-coupled electron transport drives giant negative differential resistance

Qian Zhang,
Yulong Wang,
Cameron Nickle,
Ziyu Zhang,
Andrea Leoncini,
Dong-Chen Qi,
Kai Sotthewes,
Alessandro Borrini,
Harold J. W. Zandvliet,
Enrique del Barco,
Damien Thompson,
Christian A. Nijhuis

Affiliations

Qian Zhang: Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3
Yulong Wang: Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3
Cameron Nickle: Department of Physics, University of Central Florida
Ziyu Zhang: Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3
Andrea Leoncini: Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3
Dong-Chen Qi: Centre for Materials Science, School of Chemistry and Physics, Queensland University of Technology
Kai Sotthewes: Physics of Interfaces and Nanomaterials, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Twente
Alessandro Borrini: Hybrid Materials for Opto-Electronics Group, Department of Molecules and Materials, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, Molecules Center and Center for Brain-Inspired Nano Systems, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente
Harold J. W. Zandvliet: Physics of Interfaces and Nanomaterials, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Twente
Enrique del Barco: Department of Physics, University of Central Florida
Damien Thompson: Department of Physics, Bernal Institute, University of Limerick
Christian A. Nijhuis: Hybrid Materials for Opto-Electronics Group, Department of Molecules and Materials, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, Molecules Center and Center for Brain-Inspired Nano Systems, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-52496-y
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 15, no. 1
pp. 1 – 9

Abstract

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Abstract To develop new types of dynamic molecular devices with atomic-scale control over electronic function, new types of molecular switches are needed with time-dependent switching probabilities. We report such a molecular switch based on proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) reaction with giant hysteric negative differential resistance (NDR) with peak-to-valley ratios of 120 ± 6.6 and memory on/off ratios of (2.4 ± 0.6) × 103. The switching dynamics probabilities are modulated by bias voltage sweep rate and can also be controlled by pH and relative humidity, confirmed by kinetic isotope effect measurements. The demonstrated dynamical and environment-specific modulation of giant NDR and memory effects provide new opportunities for bioelectronics and artificial neural networks.

Published in Nature Communications

ISSN: 2041-1723 (Online)
Publisher: Nature Portfolio
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Science
Website: https://www.nature.com/ncomms/

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