Application of ionic liquids in single-molecule junctions: Recent advances and prospects

Li Zhou; Miao Zhang; Yani Huo; Liping Bai; Suhang He; Jinying Wang; Chuancheng Jia; Xuefeng Guo

Green Energy & Environment (Dec 2024)

Application of ionic liquids in single-molecule junctions: Recent advances and prospects

Li Zhou,
Miao Zhang,
Yani Huo,
Liping Bai,
Suhang He,
Jinying Wang,
Chuancheng Jia,
Xuefeng Guo

Affiliations

Li Zhou: Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin, 300350, China
Miao Zhang: Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin, 300350, China
Yani Huo: Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin, 300350, China
Liping Bai: Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin, 300350, China
Suhang He: Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin, 300350, China
Jinying Wang: Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin, 300350, China; Network for Computational Nanotechnology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA; Corresponding authors. Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin, 300350, China.
Chuancheng Jia: Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin, 300350, China; Corresponding authors. Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin, 300350, China.
Xuefeng Guo: Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin, 300350, China; Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, National Biomedical Imaging Center, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, 292 Chengfu Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100871, China; Corresponding authors. Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin, 300350, China.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 9, no. 12
pp. 1784 – 1801

Abstract

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Single-molecule junctions, integrating individual molecules as active components between electrodes, serve as fundamental building blocks for advanced electronic and sensing technologies. The application of ionic liquids in single-molecule junctions represents a cutting-edge and rapidly evolving field of research at the intersection of nanoscience, materials chemistry, and electronics. This review explores recent advances where ionic liquids function as electrolytes, dielectric layers, and structural elements within single-molecule junctions, reshaping charge transport, redox reactions, and molecular behaviors in these nanoscale systems. We comprehensively dissect fundamental concepts, techniques, and modulation mechanisms, elucidating the roles of ionic liquids as gates, electrochemical controllers, and interface components in single-molecule junctions. Encompassing applications from functional device construction to unraveling intricate chemical reactions, this review maps the diverse applications of ionic liquids in single-molecule junctions. Moreover, we propose critical future research topics in this field, including catalysis involving ionic liquids at the single-molecule level, functionalizing single-molecule devices using ionic liquids, and probing the structure and interactions of ionic liquids. These endeavors aim to drive technological breakthroughs in nanotechnology, energy, and quantum research.

Published in Green Energy & Environment

ISSN: 2468-0257 (Online)
Publisher: KeAi Communications Co., Ltd.
Country of publisher: China
LCC subjects: Technology: Mechanical engineering and machinery: Renewable energy sources; Science: Biology (General): Ecology
Website: https://www.keaipublishing.com/en/journals/green-energy-and-environment/

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