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Covalent Immobilization of Proteins for the Single Molecule Force Spectroscopy

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Published on: August 20, 2018

Stabilizing single atom contacts by molecular bridge formation.

Everardus H Huisman¹, Marius L Trouwborst, Frank L Bakker

¹Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands. e.h.huisman@rug.nl

|September 6, 2008

Summary

Alkanedithiol molecules stabilize single atomic gold junctions during bridge formation. This molecular bridging occurs before the gold-gold junction breaks, explaining experimental observations.

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Area of Science:

Materials Science
Nanotechnology
Surface Chemistry

Background:

Formation of gold-molecule-gold junctions is crucial for molecular electronics.
The mechanical details and molecular role in junction formation are poorly understood.
Experimental observation of stabilized single atomic gold junctions exists.

Purpose of the Study:

To elucidate the mechanical role of alkanedithiol molecules in forming gold-molecule-gold junctions.
To explain the stabilization mechanism of single atomic gold junctions.
To provide a model for understanding the bridge formation process.

Main Methods:

Theoretical proposal of pre-formed molecular bridges.
Analysis of junction stabilization using a simple spring model.
Interpretation of experimental data on gold wire breaking in dithiol solution.

Main Results:

Alkanedithiol molecules form bridges between gold electrodes prior to gold-gold junction rupture.
This pre-formation stabilizes the resulting single atomic gold junction.
Experimental observations are consistent with the proposed molecular bridging mechanism.

Conclusions:

The study proposes a mechanism where alkanedithiol molecules stabilize atomic gold junctions.
Molecular bridging precedes the breaking of the gold-gold junction.
A simple spring model effectively describes the observed phenomena in junction formation.