Break junction under electrochemical gating: testbed for single-molecule electronics. (5th January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Huang, Cancan; Rudnev, Alexander V.; Hong, Wenjing; Wandlowski, Thomas
• Is Part Of: Chemical Society reviews. Volume 44:Number 4(2015:Feb.)
• Page Start: 889
• Page End: 901
• Publication Date: 2015-01-05
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540
• DOI: 10.1039/c4cs00242c
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-0012

Abstract

Abstract : This tutorial review highlights recent developments using break junction techniques, and emphasizes the concept of "electrochemical gating" on single-molecule junctions. Abstract : Molecular electronics aims to construct functional molecular devices at the single-molecule scale. One of the major challenges is to construct a single-molecule junction and to further manipulate the charge transport through the molecular junction. Break junction techniques, including STM break junctions and mechanically controllable break junctions are considered as testbed to investigate and control the charge transport on a single-molecule scale. Moreover, additional electrochemical gating provides a unique opportunity to manipulate the energy alignment and molecular redox processes for a single-molecule junction. In this review, we start from the technical aspects of the break junction technique, then discuss the molecular structure–conductance correlation derived from break junction studies, and, finally, emphasize electrochemical gating as a promising method for the functional molecular devices.