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Published on: August 2, 2019
Gating of single molecule junction conductance by charge transfer complex formation
Andrea Vezzoli1, Iain Grace, Carly Brooke
1Department of Chemistry, Donnan and Robert Robinson Laboratories, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZD, UK. shiggins@liverpool.ac.uk.
Charge transfer complex formation significantly boosts molecular junction conductance. This occurs due to quantum interference effects, enhancing charge transport in organic electronic devices.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Organic Electronics
Background:
- Solid-state structures of organic charge transfer (CT) salts dictate their electrical properties, spanning semiconducting to superconducting behaviors.
- Understanding charge transport mechanisms in molecular junctions is crucial for advancing organic electronics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of charge transfer (CT) complex formation on the conductance of metal |single molecule| metal junctions.
- To elucidate the underlying mechanisms responsible for observed changes in conductance.
Main Methods:
- Experimental fabrication and characterization of metal |single molecule| metal junctions.
- Theoretical modeling and simulation of charge transport properties.
- Formation of charge transfer complexes between aromatic donor molecules and tetracyanoethylene (TCNE).
Main Results:
- Conductance of molecular junctions increased by over an order of magnitude upon CT complex formation with TCNE.
- CT complex formation introduced a new resonance in the transmission function near the metal contact Fermi energy.
- Observed enhancement is attributed to room-temperature quantum interference effects.
Conclusions:
- Charge transfer complex formation is a viable strategy to significantly enhance the conductance of molecular junctions.
- Quantum interference plays a critical role in room-temperature charge transport in these systems.
- Findings offer new pathways for designing high-performance organic electronic devices.
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