An international team of researchers led by the University of Bern and the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) has revealed a new way to tune the functionality of next-generation molecular electronic devices using graphene. The results could be exploited to develop smaller, higher-performance devices for use in a range of applications including molecular sensing, flexible electronics, and energy conversion and storage, as well as robust measurement setups for resistance standards.
The field of nanoscale molecular electronics aims to exploit individual molecules as the building blocks for electronic devices, to improve functionality and enable developers to achieve an unprecedented level of device miniaturization and control. The main obstacle hindering progress in this field is the absence of stable contacts between the molecules and metals used that can both operate at room temperature and provide reproducible results. Graphene possesses not only excellent mechanical stability, but also exceptionally high electronic and thermal conductive properties, making the emerging 2D material very attractive for a range of possible applications in molecular electronics.
A team of experimentalists from the University of Bern and theoreticians from NPL (UK) and the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU, Spain), with the help of collaborators from Chuo University (Japan), have demonstrated the stability of multi-layer graphene-based molecular electronic devices down to the single molecule limit. The findings, reported in the journal Science Advances, represent a major step change in the development of graphene-based molecular electronics, with the reproducible properties of covalent contacts between molecules and graphene (even at room temperature) overcoming the limitations of current state-of-the-art technologies based on coinage metals.
Connecting single molecules
Adsorption of specific molecules on graphene-based electronic devices allows device functionality to be tuned, mainly by modifying its electrical resistance. However, it is difficult to relate overall device properties to the properties of the individual molecules adsorbed, since averaged quantities cannot identify possibly large variations across the graphene’s surface.
Dr Alexander Rudnev and Dr Veerabhadrarao Kaliginedi, from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Bern, performed measurements of the electric current flowing though single molecules attached to graphite or multi-layered graphene electrodes using a unique low-noise experimental technique, which allowed them to resolve these molecule-to-molecule variations. Guided by the theoretical calculations of Dr Ivan Rungger (NPL) and Dr Andrea Droghetti (UPV/EHU), they demonstrated that variations on the graphite surface are very small and that the nature of the chemical contact of a molecule to the top graphene layer dictates the functionality of single-molecule electronic devices.
“We find that by carefully designing the chemical contact of molecules to graphene-based materials, we can tune their functionality,” said Dr Rungger. “Our single-molecule diodes showed that the rectification direction of electric current can be indeed switched by changing the nature of chemical contact of each molecule,” added Dr Rudnev.
“We are confident that our findings represent a significant step towards the practical exploitation of molecular electronic devices, and we expect a significant change in the research field direction following our path of room-temperature stable chemical bonding,” summarized Dr Kaliginedi. The findings will also help researchers working in electro-catalysis and energy conversion research design graphene/molecule interfaces in their experimental systems to improve the efficiency of the catalyst or device.
Learn more:Graphene electrodes offer new functionalities in molecular electronic nanodevices
[osd_subscribe categories=’molecular-electronic-nanodevices’ placeholder=’Email Address’ button_text=’Subscribe Now for any new posts on the topic “MARS’]
The Latest on: Molecular electronic nanodevices
[google_news title=”” keyword=”molecular electronic nanodevices” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]- New memory transistor integrates photocrosslinker into molecular switches to adjust its threshold voltageon May 2, 2024 at 9:22 am
A research team has developed a memory transistor capable of adjusting its threshold voltage. This innovation combines two molecules that form a stable bond with a polymeric semiconductor, situated at ...
- Molecular electronics: what will future gadgets be like?on April 26, 2024 at 6:58 am
The discovery that won the latest Nobel Prize in physics seems far away from our life, but one day everything could change with the arrival of molecular gadgets. We've tried to look into the future.
- More efficient molecular motor widens potential applicationson April 26, 2024 at 2:00 am
Light-driven molecular motors were first developed nearly 25 years ago at the University of Groningen, the Netherlands. This resulted in a shared Nobel Prize for Chemistry for Professor Ben Feringa in ...
- Molecular Psychiatryon April 21, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Molecular Psychiatry is a scientific journal published by Nature Publishing Group. It publishes papers in biological psychiatry and, e.g., about psychiatric genetics. With an impact factor of 15. ...
- The Molecular Levelon April 17, 2024 at 11:59 am
This mission begins immediately after completing Hunter Hunted. Your goal is to get the new Courser Chip analyzed, so head to back to Goodneighbor, and go to the Memory Den to see the doctor. She ...
- Nobel-winning molecular biologist on the consequences of agingon April 17, 2024 at 9:17 am
Nobel Prize-winning molecular biologist Venki Ramakrishnan sat down with ABC News Live to discuss the science and ethics of extending the human lifespan. In his new book, "Why We Die: The New ...
- Molecular Communications for Nano-Deviceson April 15, 2024 at 2:40 pm
Therefore, molecular communications (MC) is of particular interest to researchers because of the low-power requirements and the advantages of signal energy endurance and random propagation. MC is ...
- Molecular subtypes of advanced kidney cancer matter for treatment responseon April 4, 2024 at 5:00 pm
A combination of immunotherapy and targeted therapies show promise in managing metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC), the most common form of kidney cancer that makes up 90% of all cases.
- Team modulates electronic state of single-atom catalysts by CO molecular decoration for efficient methane conversionon March 26, 2024 at 12:58 pm
The researchers proposed a strategy involving CO molecule modification to regulate the electronic structure ... developed the electronically tunable molecular sieve-supported M 1-O isolated ...
- MTEM Molecular Templates, Inc.on March 12, 2024 at 8:45 am
Molecular Templates, Inc., a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company, focuses on the discovery and development of biologic therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and other serious diseases in ...
via Google News and Bing News