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In Operando Modulation of Rectification in Molecular Tunneling Junctions Comprising Reconfigurable Molecular
Xinkai Qiu1,2, Sylvia Rousseva1,2, Gang Ye1,2
1Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG, Groningen, Netherlands.
Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
|December 16, 2020
Summary
Molecular tunneling junctions reconfigure using self-assembled glycol ether bilayers. This enables memristor-like devices for logical operations, demonstrating potential for fieldable molecular electronics.
Area of Science:
- Molecular electronics
- Nanotechnology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Molecular tunneling junctions are crucial for advanced electronic devices.
- Self-assembly is a key bottom-up fabrication technique.
- Glycol ethers offer unique properties for molecular assembly.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the reconfiguration of molecular tunneling junctions using glycol ether self-assembly.
- To investigate the modulation of rectification in tunneling junctions.
- To demonstrate memristor-like properties for logical operations.
Main Methods:
- Self-assembly of glycol ether bilayers.
- Modulation of rectification using functional groups and glycol ethers.
- Variable-temperature measurements.
- Fabrication of crossbar junctions using eutectic Ga-In (EGaIn) and microfluidics.
Main Results:
- Glycol ethers act as efficient tunneling media, similar to alkanes.
- Rectification mechanism confirmed as bias-dependent tunneling-hopping.
- Demonstrated logical AND operations using self-assembled molecular junctions.
- Successfully fabricated memory bits with memristor-like properties.
Conclusions:
- Self-assembled glycol ether bilayers enable functional reconfiguration of molecular tunneling junctions.
- This approach facilitates the development of fieldable molecular electronic devices.
- The study highlights the potential of molecular self-assembly for creating logic gates and memory.
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