Thermoelectricity at the molecular scale: a large Seebeck effect in endohedral metallofullerenes. Issue 48 (19th November 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lee, See Kei; Buerkle, Marius; Yamada, Ryo; Asai, Yoshihiro; Tada, Hirokazu
• Is Part Of: Nanoscale. Volume 7:Issue 48(2015)
• Page Start: 20497
• Page End: 20502
• Publication Date: 2015-11-19
• Subjects: Nanoscience -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; 620.505
• DOI: 10.1039/c5nr05394c
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2040-3364

Abstract

Abstract : A high power factor (16.2 fW K −2 ) was demonstrated for Gd@C82 junctions using STM break-junction measurements and accurate self-energy-corrected first-principles transport calculations. Abstract : Single molecule devices provide a unique system to study the thermoelectric energy conversion at an atomistic level and can provide valuable information for the design of organic thermoelectric materials. Here we present a comprehensive study of the thermoelectric transport properties of molecular junctions based on C82, Gd@C82, and Ce@C82 . We combine precise scanning tunneling microscope break-junction measurements of the thermopower and conductance with quantitatively accurate self-energy-corrected first-principles transport calculations. We find that all three fullerene derivatives give rise to a negative thermopower (n-conducting). The absolute value, however, is much larger for the Gd@C82 and Ce@C82 junctions. The conductance, on the other hand, remains comparable for all three systems. The power factor determined for the Gd@C82 based junction is so far the highest obtained for a single-molecule device. Although the encapsulated metal atom does not directly contribute to the transport, we show that the observed enhancement of the thermopower for Gd@C82 and Ce@C82 is elucidated by the substantial changes in the electronic- and geometrical structure of the fullerene molecule induced by the encapsulated metal atom.