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Guo Y, Yang C, Zhou S, Houk KN, Guo X. A Robust Single-Molecule Diode with High Rectification Ratio and Integrability. J Am Chem Soc 2025; 147:16972-16981. [PMID: 40245115 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.5c00566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/19/2025]
Abstract
Advancements in molecular electronics focus on single molecules as key components to create stable and functional devices that meet the requirements of device miniaturization and molecular function exploration. However, as the pioneering concept of a molecular diode, all single-molecule rectifiers reported previously are limited by their modest rectification ratios, owing to electron transmission in the off-state, highlighting the imperative for performance enhancements. Here, we demonstrate a unique method capable of realizing a stable and reproducible high-performance single-molecule rectifier through the strategic application of an electric-field-catalyzed Fries rearrangement. This flexible reaction enables the exquisite control of reversible conductance switching between a structure with constructive quantum interference and a structure with destructive quantum interference, therefore leading to an exceptional rectification ratio of up to 5000 at a bias of 1.0 V, which ranks the highest among the rectifiers constructed by only one individual molecule. The stable operation of nearly 100 devices at high temperatures demonstrates reproducibility. Moreover, on-chip integration of different single-molecule rectifiers succeeds in achieving half-wave and bridge rectifications, thus facilitating efficient alternating current-to-direct current conversions. This convenient strategy of electric-field-catalyzed quantum interference switching potentially revolutionizes device efficiency and miniaturization in nanotechnology, laying an actual step toward future practical integrated molecular-scale electronic nanocircuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yilin Guo
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, National Biomedical Imaging Center, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, 292 Chengfu Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100871, P. R. China
| | - Chen Yang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, National Biomedical Imaging Center, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, 292 Chengfu Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100871, P. R. China
| | - Shuyao Zhou
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, National Biomedical Imaging Center, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, 292 Chengfu Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100871, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, P. R. China
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095-1569, United States
| | - Kendall N Houk
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095-1569, United States
| | - Xuefeng Guo
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, National Biomedical Imaging Center, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, 292 Chengfu Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100871, P. R. China
- Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, P. R. China
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2
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Cao Z, Xie Y, Lin JL, Zhong S, Yan C, Yang Z, Li M, Zhou Z, Peng W, Qiu S, Liu J, Li Y. Flexible Crossbar Molecular Devices with Patterned EGaIn Top Electrodes for Integrated All-Molecule-Circuit Implementation. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2406456. [PMID: 39295460 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202406456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2024] [Revised: 08/25/2024] [Indexed: 09/21/2024]
Abstract
Here, a unique crossbar architecture is designed and fabricated, incorporating vertically integrated self-assembled monolayers in electronic devices. This architecture is used to showcase 100 individual vertical molecular junctions on a single chip with a high yield of working junctions and high device uniformity. The study introduces a transfer approach for patterned liquid-metal eutectic alloy of gallium and indium top electrodes, enabling the creation of fully flexible molecular devices with electrical functionalities. The devices exhibit excellent charge transport performance, sustain a high rectification ratio (>103), and stable endurance and retention properties, even when the devices are significantly bent. Furthermore, Boolean logic gates, including OR and AND gates, as well as half-wave and full-wave rectifying circuits, are successfully implemented. The unique design of the flexible molecular device represents a significant step in harnessing the potential of molecular devices for high-density integration and possible molecule-based computing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhou Cao
- Key Laboratory of Organic Optoelectronics and Molecular Engineering, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Yu Xie
- Key Laboratory of Organic Optoelectronics and Molecular Engineering, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Jin-Liang Lin
- Key Laboratory of Organic Optoelectronics and Molecular Engineering, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Shuai Zhong
- Guangdong Institute of Intelligence Science and Technology, Hengqin, Zhuhai, 519031, P. R. China
| | - Chenshuai Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering & Innovation Laboratory for Sciences and Technologies of Energy Materials of Fujian Province (IKKEM), Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, P. R. China
| | - Zhenyu Yang
- Key Laboratory of Organic Optoelectronics and Molecular Engineering, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Mingyao Li
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, P. R. China
| | - Ziming Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Organic Optoelectronics and Molecular Engineering, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Wuxian Peng
- Key Laboratory of Organic Optoelectronics and Molecular Engineering, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Shengzhe Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Organic Optoelectronics and Molecular Engineering, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Junyang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering & Innovation Laboratory for Sciences and Technologies of Energy Materials of Fujian Province (IKKEM), Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, P. R. China
| | - Yuan Li
- Key Laboratory of Organic Optoelectronics and Molecular Engineering, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
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3
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Pitié S, Dappe YJ, Maurel F, Seydou M, Lacroix JC. Marcus Theory and Long-Range Activationless Transport in Molecular Junctions. J Phys Chem Lett 2024; 15:6996-7002. [PMID: 38949503 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.4c01049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
Intrachain transport in molecular junctions (MJs) longer than 5 nm has been modeled within the theoretical framework of Marcus theory. We show that in oligo(bisthienylbenzene)-based MJs, electronic transport involves polarons, localized on three monomers that are close to 4 nm in length. They hop and tunnel between adjacent localized sites with reorganization energies λ close to 400-600 meV and electronic coupling parameters Hab close to λ/2. As a consequence, the activation energy for intrachain transport, given by the equation ΔG* = (λ/4)(1 - 2Hab/λ)2, is close to zero, and transport along the chain is activationless, in agreement with experimental observation. On the contrary, similar calculations on conjugated oligonaphthalenefluoreneimine wires show that Hab is much less than λ/2 and predict that the activation energies for intrachain hopping between adjacent sites, close to λ/4, are ∼115 meV. This work proposes a new perspective for understanding long-range activationless transport in MJs beyond the tunneling regime.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvain Pitié
- Université Paris Cité, ITODYS, CNRS UMR 7086, 15 rue Jean-Antoine de Baïf, 75205 Paris Cedex 13, France
| | - Yannick J Dappe
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA Saclay, SPEC, CNRS UMR 3680, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France
| | - François Maurel
- Université Paris Cité, ITODYS, CNRS UMR 7086, 15 rue Jean-Antoine de Baïf, 75205 Paris Cedex 13, France
| | - Mahamadou Seydou
- Université Paris Cité, ITODYS, CNRS UMR 7086, 15 rue Jean-Antoine de Baïf, 75205 Paris Cedex 13, France
| | - Jean-Christophe Lacroix
- Université Paris Cité, ITODYS, CNRS UMR 7086, 15 rue Jean-Antoine de Baïf, 75205 Paris Cedex 13, France
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4
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Guo C, Gavrilov Y, Gupta S, Bendikov T, Levy Y, Vilan A, Pecht I, Sheves M, Cahen D. Electron transport via tyrosine-doped oligo-alanine peptide junctions: role of charges and hydrogen bonding. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2022; 24:28878-28885. [PMID: 36441625 DOI: 10.1039/d2cp02807g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
A way of modulating the solid-state electron transport (ETp) properties of oligopeptide junctions is presented by charges and internal hydrogen bonding, which affect this process markedly. The ETp properties of a series of tyrosine (Tyr)-containing hexa-alanine peptides, self-assembled in monolayers and sandwiched between gold electrodes, are investigated in response to their protonation state. Inserting a Tyr residue into these peptides enhances the ETp carried via their junctions. Deprotonation of the Tyr-containing peptides causes a further increase of ETp efficiency that depends on this residue's position. Combined results of molecular dynamics simulations and spectroscopic experiments suggest that the increased conductance upon deprotonation is mainly a result of enhanced coupling between the charged C-terminus carboxylate group and the adjacent Au electrode. Moreover, intra-peptide hydrogen bonding of the Tyr hydroxyl to the C-terminus carboxylate reduces this coupling. Hence, the extent of such a conductance change depends on the Tyr-carboxylate distance in the peptide's sequence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cunlan Guo
- Departments of Molecular Chemistry and Materials Science, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 761001, Israel. .,College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Yulian Gavrilov
- Departments of Chemical and Structural Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 761001, Israel.,Division of Biophysical Chemistry, Center for Molecular Protein Science, Department of Chemistry, Lund University, SE-22100 Lund, Sweden
| | - Satyajit Gupta
- Departments of Molecular Chemistry and Materials Science, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 761001, Israel. .,Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, Bhilai, 492015, India
| | - Tatyana Bendikov
- Department of Chemical Research Support, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 761001, Israel
| | - Yaakov Levy
- Departments of Chemical and Structural Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 761001, Israel
| | - Ayelet Vilan
- Departments of Chemical & Biological Physics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 761001, Israel
| | - Israel Pecht
- Department of immunology and Regenerative Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 761001, Israel
| | - Mordechai Sheves
- Departments of Molecular Chemistry and Materials Science, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 761001, Israel.
| | - David Cahen
- Departments of Molecular Chemistry and Materials Science, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 761001, Israel.
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5
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Mejía L, Kleinekathöfer U, Franco I. Coherent and incoherent contributions to molecular electron transport. J Chem Phys 2022; 156:094302. [DOI: 10.1063/5.0079708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
We numerically isolate the limits of validity of the Landauer approximation to describe charge transport along molecular junctions in condensed phase environments. To do so, we contrast Landauer with exact time-dependent non-equilibrium Green’s function quantum transport computations in a two-site molecular junction subject to exponentially correlated noise. Under resonant transport conditions, we find Landauer accuracy to critically depend on intramolecular interactions. By contrast, under nonresonant conditions, the emergence of incoherent transport routes that go beyond Landauer depends on charging and discharging processes at the electrode–molecule interface. In both cases, decreasing the rate of charge exchange between the electrodes and molecule and increasing the interaction strength with the thermal environment cause Landauer to become less accurate. The results are interpreted from a time-dependent perspective where the noise prevents the junction from achieving steady-state and from a fully quantum perspective where the environment introduces dephasing in the dynamics. Using these results, we analyze why the Landauer approach is so useful to understand experiments, isolate regimes where it fails, and propose schemes to chemically manipulate the degree of transport coherence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leopoldo Mejía
- Department of Chemistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14627-0216, USA
| | - Ulrich Kleinekathöfer
- Department of Physics and Earth Sciences, Jacobs University Bremen, 28759 Bremen, Germany
| | - Ignacio Franco
- Department of Chemistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14627-0216, USA
- Department of Physics, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14627-0216, USA
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6
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Wang J, Ding T, Gao K, Wang L, Zhou P, Wu K. Marcus inverted region of charge transfer from low-dimensional semiconductor materials. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6333. [PMID: 34732730 PMCID: PMC8566515 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26705-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A key process underlying the application of low-dimensional, quantum-confined semiconductors in energy conversion is charge transfer from these materials, which, however, has not been fully understood yet. Extensive studies of charge transfer from colloidal quantum dots reported rates increasing monotonically with driving forces, never displaying an inverted region predicted by the Marcus theory. The inverted region is likely bypassed by an Auger-like process whereby the excessive driving force is used to excite another Coulomb-coupled charge. Herein, instead of measuring charge transfer from excitonic states (coupled electron-hole pairs), we build a unique model system using zero-dimensional quantum dots or two-dimensional nanoplatelets and surface-adsorbed molecules that allows for measuring charge transfer from transiently-populated, single-charge states. The Marcus inverted region is clearly revealed in these systems. Thus, charge transfer from excitonic and single-charge states follows the Auger-assisted and conventional Marcus charge transfer models, respectively. This knowledge should enable rational design of energetics for efficient charge extraction from low-dimensional semiconductor materials as well as suppression of the associated energy-wasting charge recombination. Marcus inverted region for charge transfer from low-dimensional semiconductor materials has been long sought after. Here, the authors reveal this region by directly measuring charge transfer from single-charge states rather than excitonic states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junhui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Reaction Dynamics and Dynamics Research Center for Energy and Environmental Materials, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 116023, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Tao Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Reaction Dynamics and Dynamics Research Center for Energy and Environmental Materials, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 116023, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Kaimin Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Reaction Dynamics and Dynamics Research Center for Energy and Environmental Materials, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 116023, Dalian, Liaoning, China.,University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China
| | - Lifeng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Reaction Dynamics and Dynamics Research Center for Energy and Environmental Materials, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 116023, Dalian, Liaoning, China.,University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China
| | - Panwang Zhou
- Institute of Molecular Sciences and Engineering, Institute of Frontier and Interdisciplinary Science, Shandong University, 266235, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Kaifeng Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Reaction Dynamics and Dynamics Research Center for Energy and Environmental Materials, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 116023, Dalian, Liaoning, China. .,University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China.
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7
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Merces L, Candiotto G, Ferro LMM, de Barros A, Batista CVS, Nawaz A, Riul A, Capaz RB, Bufon CCB. Reorganization Energy upon Controlled Intermolecular Charge-Transfer Reactions in Monolithically Integrated Nanodevices. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2021; 17:e2103897. [PMID: 34596956 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202103897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2021] [Revised: 08/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Intermolecular electron-transfer reactions are key processes in physics, chemistry, and biology. The electron-transfer rates depend primarily on the system reorganization energy, that is, the energetic cost to rearrange each reactant and its surrounding environment when a charge is transferred. Despite the evident impact of electron-transfer reactions on charge-carrier hopping, well-controlled electronic transport measurements using monolithically integrated electrochemical devices have not successfully measured the reorganization energies to this date. Here, it is shown that self-rolling nanomembrane devices with strain-engineered mechanical properties, on-a-chip monolithic integration, and multi-environment operation features can overcome this challenge. The ongoing advances in nanomembrane-origami technology allow to manufacture the nCap, a nanocapacitor platform, to perform molecular-level charge transport characterization. Thereby, employing nCap, the copper-phthalocyanine (CuPc) reorganization energy is probed, ≈0.93 eV, from temperature-dependent measurements of CuPc nanometer-thick films. Supporting the experimental findings, density functional theory calculations provide the atomistic picture of the measured CuPc charge-transfer reaction. The experimental strategy demonstrated here is a consistent route towards determining the reorganization energy of a system formed by molecules monolithically integrated into electrochemical nanodevices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leandro Merces
- Brazilian Nanotechnology National Laboratory (LNNano), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, SP, 13083-100, Brazil
| | - Graziâni Candiotto
- Instituto de Física, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-972, Brazil
- Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-909, Brazil
| | - Letícia Mariê Minatogau Ferro
- Brazilian Nanotechnology National Laboratory (LNNano), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, SP, 13083-100, Brazil
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Anerise de Barros
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Carlos Vinícius Santos Batista
- Brazilian Nanotechnology National Laboratory (LNNano), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, SP, 13083-100, Brazil
- Postgraduate Program in Materials Science and Technology, São Paulo State University, Bauru, SP, 17033-360, Brazil
| | - Ali Nawaz
- Center for Sensors and Devices, Bruno Kessler Foundation (FBK), Trento, 38123, Italy
| | - Antonio Riul
- Department of Applied Physics, "Gleb Wataghin" Institute of Physics, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, 13083-859, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo B Capaz
- Brazilian Nanotechnology National Laboratory (LNNano), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, SP, 13083-100, Brazil
- Instituto de Física, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-972, Brazil
| | - Carlos César Bof Bufon
- Brazilian Nanotechnology National Laboratory (LNNano), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, SP, 13083-100, Brazil
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, 13083-970, Brazil
- Postgraduate Program in Materials Science and Technology, São Paulo State University, Bauru, SP, 17033-360, Brazil
- Mackenzie Presbyterian University, São Paulo, 01302-907, Brazil
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Hnid I, Liu M, Frath D, Bellynck S, Lafolet F, Sun X, Lacroix JC. Unprecedented ON/OFF Ratios in Photoactive Diarylethene-Bisthienylbenzene Molecular Junctions. NANO LETTERS 2021; 21:7555-7560. [PMID: 34478314 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.1c01983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Photoactive molecular junctions, based on 4 nm thick diarylethene (DAE) and 5 nm thick bisthienylbenzene (BTB) layers, were fabricated by electrochemical deposition. Total thickness was around 9 nm, that is, above the direct tunneling limit and in the hopping regime. The DAE units were switched between their open and closed forms. The DAE/BTB bilayer structure exhibits new electronic functions combining photoswitching and photorectification. The open form of DAE/BTB shows low conductance and asymmetric I-V curves while the closed form shows symmetric I-V curves and high conductance. More importantly, unprecedented ON/OFF current ratios of over 10 000 at 1 V were reproducibly measured.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imen Hnid
- Université de Paris, ITODYS, CNRS, UMR 7086, 15 rue J-A de Baïf, 75205 Paris Cedex 13 France
| | - Mingyang Liu
- Université de Paris, ITODYS, CNRS, UMR 7086, 15 rue J-A de Baïf, 75205 Paris Cedex 13 France
| | - Denis Frath
- Université de Paris, ITODYS, CNRS, UMR 7086, 15 rue J-A de Baïf, 75205 Paris Cedex 13 France
| | - Sebastien Bellynck
- Université de Paris, ITODYS, CNRS, UMR 7086, 15 rue J-A de Baïf, 75205 Paris Cedex 13 France
| | - Frederic Lafolet
- Université de Paris, ITODYS, CNRS, UMR 7086, 15 rue J-A de Baïf, 75205 Paris Cedex 13 France
| | - Xiaonan Sun
- Université de Paris, ITODYS, CNRS, UMR 7086, 15 rue J-A de Baïf, 75205 Paris Cedex 13 France
| | - Jean-Christophe Lacroix
- Université de Paris, ITODYS, CNRS, UMR 7086, 15 rue J-A de Baïf, 75205 Paris Cedex 13 France
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