A Solid‐State Protein Junction Serves as a Bias‐Induced Current Switch. (25th July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fereiro, Jerry A.; Kayser, Ben; Romero‐Muñiz, Carlos; Vilan, Ayelet; Dolgikh, Dmitry A.; Chertkova, Rita V.; Cuevas, Juan Carlos; Zotti, Linda A.; Pecht, Israel; Sheves, Mordechai; Cahen, David
• Is Part Of: Angewandte Chemie. Volume 131:Number 34(2019)
• Page Start: 11978
• Page End: 11985
• Publication Date: 2019-07-25
• Subjects: An/Aus-Schalten -- Bioelektronische Kontaktstelle -- Elektronentransfer -- Resonanztunneln; Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540
• DOI: 10.1002/ange.201906032
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0044-8249

Abstract

Abstract: A sample‐type protein monolayer, that can be a stepping stone to practical devices, can behave as an electrically driven switch. This feat is achieved using a redox protein, cytochrome C (CytC), with its heme shielded from direct contact with the solid‐state electrodes. Ab initio DFT calculations, carried out on the CytC–Au structure, show that the coupling of the heme, the origin of the protein frontier orbitals, to the electrodes is sufficiently weak to prevent Fermi level pinning. Thus, external bias can bring these orbitals in and out of resonance with the electrode. Using a cytochrome C mutant for direct S−Au bonding, approximately 80 % of the Au–CytC–Au junctions show at greater than 0.5 V bias a clear conductance peak, consistent with resonant tunneling. The on–off change persists up to room temperature, demonstrating reversible, bias‐controlled switching of a protein ensemble, which, with its built‐in redundancy, provides a realistic path to protein‐based bioelectronics. Abstract : Eine Cytochrom‐C‐Monoschicht, die über S‐Au‐Bindungen mit einer Au‐Schicht verknüpft und mit einem Au‐Nanodraht bedeckt ist, kann als elektrischer Schalter betrieben werden. Der Ladungstransportmechanismus von Cytochrom C kann, selbst bei Raumtemperatur, durch Ändern der angelegten Vorspannung zwischen An‐ und Aus‐Resonanztunneln geschaltet werden. Dies ist ein wichtiger Schritt hin zu einer proteinbasierten Elektronik.