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Reversible bond formation in a gold-atom-organic-molecule complex as a molecular switch
Fabian Mohn1, Jascha Repp, Leo Gross
1IBM Research-Zurich, Rüschlikon, Switzerland. fmo@zurich.ibm.com
Physical Review Letters
|January 15, 2011
Summary
Researchers created a reversible metal-molecule complex for molecular switches. This complex, formed between a gold atom and a specific molecule, changes charge states and tunneling current when switching between bonded and nonbonded states.
Area of Science:
- Surface Science
- Molecular Electronics
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Development of molecular switches is crucial for next-generation electronics.
- Controlling molecular states at the atomic level presents significant challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the formation of a novel metal-molecule complex.
- To demonstrate its function as a molecular switch with distinct states.
- To investigate the underlying charge states and their relation to switching behavior.
Main Methods:
- Utilized cryogenic scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) for bond formation and state analysis.
- Employed atomic force microscopy (AFM) for precise atomic structure determination.
- Performed density functional theory (DFT) calculations to corroborate experimental findings.
Main Results:
- Successfully formed a reversible covalent bond between a gold atom and a perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic dianhydride molecule.
- Observed distinct charge states for the bonded and nonbonded configurations of the complex.
- Demonstrated significant changes in tunneling current associated with switching between states.
- Precisely determined the atomic structure of the complex using AFM.
Conclusions:
- The metal-molecule complex exhibits controllable switching behavior.
- The switching mechanism is linked to changes in molecular charge states and tunneling current.
- This work provides a foundation for designing single-molecule electronic devices.
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