New routes to organometallic molecular junctions via a simple thermal processing protocol12. Issue 22 (9th April 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ezquerra, Ruben; Eaves, Samantha G.; Bock, Sören; Skelton, Brian W.; Pérez-Murano, Francesc; Cea, Pilar; Martín, Santiago; Low, Paul J.
• Is Part Of: Journal of materials chemistry. Volume 7:Issue 22(2019)
• Page Start: 6630
• Page End: 6640
• Publication Date: 2019-04-09
• Subjects: Materials -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Analytic -- Periodicals; Optical materials -- Research -- Periodicals; Electronics -- Materials -- Research -- Periodicals; 543.0284
• DOI: 10.1039/c9tc01305a
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-7526

Abstract

Abstract : Gold nanoparticle capped organometallic molecular junctions are prepared from a single source precursor by simple self-assembly and mild thermolysis. Abstract : Methods for forming single- and multiple-molecule junctions are key to the development of molecular electronics and the further study of allied electronic and electrical properties of molecules arising from through-molecule charge transport. The organometallic complex trans -Ru(CC-3-C4 H3 S)(CC-1, 4-C6 H4 CCAuPPh3 )(dppe)2 forms well-ordered, densely packed self-assembled monolayers on gold and silver substrates, contacted through the sulfur atoms of the thiophenyl groups. Upon mild thermal treatment (150–200 °C, two hours) the gold moiety decomposes to liberate PPh3 and form quite uniform, disc-shaped gold nanoparticles on top of the organometallic monolayer. The resulting molecular junctions give rise to sigmoidal shaped I – V curves characteristic of through-molecule conductance, rather than linear, ohmic traces associated with metallic contacts ( i.e. short circuits). This work therefore demonstrates the feasibility of thermal processing routes to form good quality molecular junctions from organometallic complexes of relatively complex molecular structure capped with uniformly-shaped nanoparticles formed in situ .