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Guo J, Chen PK, Chang S. Molecular-Scale Electronics: From Individual Molecule Detection to the Application of Recognition Sensing. Anal Chem 2024; 96:9303-9316. [PMID: 38809941 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c04656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
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2
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Tanaka Y. Organometallics in molecular junctions: conductance, functions, and reactions. Dalton Trans 2024; 53:8512-8523. [PMID: 38712999 DOI: 10.1039/d4dt00668b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Molecular junctions, which involve sandwiching molecular structures between electrodes, play a crucial role in molecular electronics. Recent advances in this field have revealed the vital role of organometallic chemistry in the investigation of molecular junctions, which has added to their well-known contributions to catalysis and materials chemistry. This review summarizes the recent examples of organometallic chemistry applications in molecular junctions, which can be categorized into three types, i.e., class I encompassing molecular junctions with bridging organometallic complexes, class II involving molecular junctions with covalent and noncovalent metal electrode-carbon bonds, and class III comprising organometallic reactions within molecular junctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuya Tanaka
- Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8503, Japan.
- School of Materials and Chemical Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8503, Japan
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3
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Gao W, Zhi G, Zhou M, Niu T. Growth of Single Crystalline 2D Materials beyond Graphene on Non-metallic Substrates. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024:e2311317. [PMID: 38712469 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202311317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
The advent of 2D materials has ushered in the exploration of their synthesis, characterization and application. While plenty of 2D materials have been synthesized on various metallic substrates, interfacial interaction significantly affects their intrinsic electronic properties. Additionally, the complex transfer process presents further challenges. In this context, experimental efforts are devoted to the direct growth on technologically important semiconductor/insulator substrates. This review aims to uncover the effects of substrate on the growth of 2D materials. The focus is on non-metallic substrate used for epitaxial growth and how this highlights the necessity for phase engineering and advanced characterization at atomic scale. Special attention is paid to monoelemental 2D structures with topological properties. The conclusion is drawn through a discussion of the requirements for integrating 2D materials with current semiconductor-based technology and the unique properties of heterostructures based on 2D materials. Overall, this review describes how 2D materials can be fabricated directly on non-metallic substrates and the exploration of growth mechanism at atomic scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjin Gao
- Tianmushan Laboratory, Hangzhou, 310023, China
- Hangzhou International Innovation Institute, Beihang University, Hangzhou, 311115, China
- School of Physics, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | | | - Miao Zhou
- Tianmushan Laboratory, Hangzhou, 310023, China
- Hangzhou International Innovation Institute, Beihang University, Hangzhou, 311115, China
- School of Physics, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Tianchao Niu
- Hangzhou International Innovation Institute, Beihang University, Hangzhou, 311115, China
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4
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Zhang T, Khomane SB, Singh I, Crudden CM, McBreen PH. N-heterocyclic carbene adsorption states on Pt(111) and Ru(0001). Phys Chem Chem Phys 2024; 26:4083-4090. [PMID: 38226886 DOI: 10.1039/d3cp03539e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
N-heterocyclic carbene ligands (NHCs) are increasingly used to tune the properties of metal surfaces. The generally greater chemical and thermal robustness of NHCs on gold, as compared to thiolate surface ligands, underscores their potential for a range of applications. While much is now known about the adsorption geometry, overlayer structure, dynamics, and stability of NHCs on coinage elements, especially gold and copper, much less is known about their interaction with the surfaces of Pt-group metals, despite the importance of such metals in catalysis and electrochemistry. In this study, reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS) is used to probe the structure of benzimidazolylidene NHC ligands on Pt(111) and Ru(0001). The experiments exploit the intense absorption peaks of a CF3 substituent on the phenyl ring of the NHC backbone to provide unprecedented insight into adsorption geometry and chemical stability. The results also permit comparison with literature data for NHC ligands on Au(111) and to DFT predictions for NHCs on Pt(111) and Ru(0001), thereby greatly extending the known surface chemistry of NHCs and providing much needed molecular information for the design of metal-organic hybrid materials involving strongly reactive metals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianchi Zhang
- Département de chimie et CCVC, Université Laval, Québec (Que), Canada, G1K OA6.
| | - Sonali B Khomane
- Département de chimie et CCVC, Université Laval, Québec (Que), Canada, G1K OA6.
| | - Ishwar Singh
- Department of Chemistry, Queen's University, 90 Bader Lane, Kingston, Ontario, Canada, K7L 3N6.
| | - Cathleen M Crudden
- Department of Chemistry, Queen's University, 90 Bader Lane, Kingston, Ontario, Canada, K7L 3N6.
| | - Peter H McBreen
- Département de chimie et CCVC, Université Laval, Québec (Que), Canada, G1K OA6.
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5
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Li P, Hou S, Wu Q, Chen Y, Wang B, Ren H, Wang J, Zhai Z, Yu Z, Lambert CJ, Jia C, Guo X. The role of halogens in Au-S bond cleavage for energy-differentiated catalysis at the single-bond limit. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7695. [PMID: 38001141 PMCID: PMC10673828 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43639-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The transformation from one compound to another involves the breaking and formation of chemical bonds at the single-bond level, especially during catalytic reactions that are of great significance in broad fields such as energy conversion, environmental science, life science and chemical synthesis. The study of the reaction process at the single-bond limit is the key to understanding the catalytic reaction mechanism and further rationally designing catalysts. Here, we develop a method to monitor the catalytic process from the perspective of the single-bond energy using high-resolution scanning tunneling microscopy single-molecule junctions. Experimental and theoretical studies consistently reveal that the attack of a halogen atom on an Au atom can reduce the breaking energy of Au-S bonds, thereby accelerating the bond cleavage reaction and shortening the plateau length during the single-molecule junction breaking. Furthermore, the distinction in catalytic activity between different halogen atoms can be compared as well. This study establishes the intrinsic relationship among the reaction activation energy, the chemical bond breaking energy and the single-molecule junction breaking process, strengthening our mastery of catalytic reactions towards precise chemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peihui Li
- Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Micro-Scale Optical Information Science and Technology, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, 300350, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Songjun Hou
- Department of Physics, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YB, UK
| | - Qingqing Wu
- Department of Physics, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YB, UK
| | - Yijian Chen
- Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Micro-Scale Optical Information Science and Technology, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, 300350, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Boyu Wang
- Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Micro-Scale Optical Information Science and Technology, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, 300350, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Haiyang Ren
- Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Micro-Scale Optical Information Science and Technology, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, 300350, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinying Wang
- Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Micro-Scale Optical Information Science and Technology, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, 300350, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhaoyi Zhai
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, 300350, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhongbo Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, 300350, Tianjin, People's Republic of China.
| | - Colin J Lambert
- Department of Physics, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YB, UK.
| | - Chuancheng Jia
- Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Micro-Scale Optical Information Science and Technology, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, 300350, Tianjin, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xuefeng Guo
- Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Micro-Scale Optical Information Science and Technology, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, 300350, Tianjin, People's Republic of China.
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, National Biomedical Imaging Center, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, 292 Chengfu Road, Haidian District, 100871, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
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6
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Reimers JR, Li T, Birvé AP, Yang L, Aragonès AC, Fallon T, Kosov DS, Darwish N. Controlling piezoresistance in single molecules through the isomerisation of bullvalenes. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6089. [PMID: 37789027 PMCID: PMC10547723 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41674-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Nanoscale electro-mechanical systems (NEMS) displaying piezoresistance offer unique measurement opportunities at the sub-cellular level, in detectors and sensors, and in emerging generations of integrated electronic devices. Here, we show a single-molecule NEMS piezoresistor that operates utilising constitutional and conformational isomerisation of individual diaryl-bullvalene molecules and can be switched at 850 Hz. Observations are made using scanning tunnelling microscopy break junction (STMBJ) techniques to characterise piezoresistance, combined with blinking (current-time) experiments that follow single-molecule reactions in real time. A kinetic Monte Carlo methodology (KMC) is developed to simulate isomerisation on the experimental timescale, parameterised using density-functional theory (DFT) combined with non-equilibrium Green's function (NEGF) calculations. Results indicate that piezoresistance is controlled by both constitutional and conformational isomerisation, occurring at rates that are either fast (equilibrium) or slow (non-equilibrium) compared to the experimental timescale. Two different types of STMBJ traces are observed, one typical of traditional experiments that are interpreted in terms of intramolecular isomerisation occurring on stable tipped-shaped metal-contact junctions, and another attributed to arise from junction‒interface restructuring induced by bullvalene isomerisation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey R Reimers
- International Centre for Quantum and Molecular Structures and the Department of Physics, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China.
- School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia.
| | - Tiexin Li
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, 6102, Australia
| | - André P Birvé
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Likun Yang
- International Centre for Quantum and Molecular Structures and the Department of Physics, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Albert C Aragonès
- Department of Materials Science and Physical Chemistry, University of Barcelona, Marti i Franquès 1, 08028, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Institute of Theoretical and Computational Chemistry, University of Barcelona, Diagonal 645, 08028, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Thomas Fallon
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.
| | - Daniel S Kosov
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia.
| | - Nadim Darwish
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, 6102, Australia.
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7
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Lv J, Sun R, Yang Q, Gan P, Yu S, Tan Z. Research on Electric Field-Induced Catalysis Using Single-Molecule Electrical Measurement. Molecules 2023; 28:4968. [PMID: 37446629 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28134968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of catalysis in controlling chemical reactions is crucial. As an important external stimulus regulatory tool, electric field (EF) catalysis enables further possibilities for chemical reaction regulation. To date, the regulation mechanism of electric fields and electrons on chemical reactions has been modeled. The electric field at the single-molecule electronic scale provides a powerful theoretical weapon to explore the dynamics of individual chemical reactions. The combination of electric fields and single-molecule electronic techniques not only uncovers new principles but also results in the regulation of chemical reactions at the single-molecule scale. This perspective focuses on the recent electric field-catalyzed, single-molecule chemical reactions and assembly, and highlights promising outlooks for future work in single-molecule catalysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jieyao Lv
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021, China
| | - Ruiqin Sun
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021, China
| | - Qifan Yang
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021, China
| | - Pengfei Gan
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021, China
| | - Shiyong Yu
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021, China
| | - Zhibing Tan
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021, China
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8
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Li T, Bandari VK, Schmidt OG. Molecular Electronics: Creating and Bridging Molecular Junctions and Promoting Its Commercialization. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2209088. [PMID: 36512432 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202209088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Molecular electronics is driven by the dream of expanding Moore's law to the molecular level for next-generation electronics through incorporating individual or ensemble molecules into electronic circuits. For nearly 50 years, numerous efforts have been made to explore the intrinsic properties of molecules and develop diverse fascinating molecular electronic devices with the desired functionalities. The flourishing of molecular electronics is inseparable from the development of various elegant methodologies for creating nanogap electrodes and bridging the nanogap with molecules. This review first focuses on the techniques for making lateral and vertical nanogap electrodes by breaking, narrowing, and fixed modes, and highlights their capabilities, applications, merits, and shortcomings. After summarizing the approaches of growing single molecules or molecular layers on the electrodes, the methods of constructing a complete molecular circuit are comprehensively grouped into three categories: 1) directly bridging one-molecule-electrode component with another electrode, 2) physically bridging two-molecule-electrode components, and 3) chemically bridging two-molecule-electrode components. Finally, the current state of molecular circuit integration and commercialization is discussed and perspectives are provided, hoping to encourage the community to accelerate the realization of fully scalable molecular electronics for a new era of integrated microsystems and applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianming Li
- Research Center for Materials, Architectures and Integration of Nanomembranes (MAIN), Chemnitz University of Technology, 09126, Chemnitz, Germany
- Material Systems for Nanoelectronics, Chemnitz University of Technology, 09111, Chemnitz, Germany
| | - Vineeth Kumar Bandari
- Research Center for Materials, Architectures and Integration of Nanomembranes (MAIN), Chemnitz University of Technology, 09126, Chemnitz, Germany
- Material Systems for Nanoelectronics, Chemnitz University of Technology, 09111, Chemnitz, Germany
| | - Oliver G Schmidt
- Research Center for Materials, Architectures and Integration of Nanomembranes (MAIN), Chemnitz University of Technology, 09126, Chemnitz, Germany
- Material Systems for Nanoelectronics, Chemnitz University of Technology, 09111, Chemnitz, Germany
- Nanophysics, Dresden University of Technology, 01069, Dresden, Germany
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9
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Song K, Lin J, Song X, Yang B, Zhu J, Zang Y, Zhu D. Formation of covalent metal-carbon contacts assisted by Ag + for single molecule junctions. Chem Commun (Camb) 2023; 59:6207-6210. [PMID: 37129042 DOI: 10.1039/d3cc01113e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Covalent metal-carbon (M-C) contacts have long been pursued for constructing robust and high-performance molecular devices. Existing methods for creating such contacts usually rely on direct chemical reactions between metal electrodes and designed molecular ligands. An inherent limitation of this approach is that the commonly used metal electrodes (e.g., Au) are chemically inert, making it generally difficult to form covalent M-C bonds with molecules. Intriguingly, employing the scanning tunneling microscope-break junction technique, we find that simply adding Ag+ ions to molecular solution enables direct covalent bonding of terminal alkynes to Au electrodes. The bonding process is driven by Ag+ ion coupled in situ reactions and efficiently creates covalent Au/Ag-C interfaces in single molecule junctions. This metal ion assisted method avoids the need for complex synthesis of molecular ligands and works robustly for a wide range of alkyne-terminated molecules, offering a facile and versatile approach for precisely tuning the metal-molecule interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Song
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.
| | - Junfeng Lin
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xuwei Song
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Bowen Yang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.
| | - Jia Zhu
- Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Nanoscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.
- College of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Theoretical & Computational Photochemistry of Ministry of Education, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Yaping Zang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Daoben Zhu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.
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10
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Dief EM, Low PJ, Díez-Pérez I, Darwish N. Advances in single-molecule junctions as tools for chemical and biochemical analysis. Nat Chem 2023; 15:600-614. [PMID: 37106094 DOI: 10.1038/s41557-023-01178-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
The development of miniaturized electronics has led to the design and construction of powerful experimental platforms capable of measuring electronic properties to the level of single molecules, along with new theoretical concepts to aid in the interpretation of the data. A new area of activity is now emerging concerned with repurposing the tools of molecular electronics for applications in chemical and biological analysis. Single-molecule junction techniques, such as the scanning tunnelling microscope break junction and related single-molecule circuit approaches have a remarkable capacity to transduce chemical information from individual molecules, sampled in real time, to electrical signals. In this Review, we discuss single-molecule junction approaches as emerging analytical tools for the chemical and biological sciences. We demonstrate how these analytical techniques are being extended to systems capable of probing chemical reaction mechanisms. We also examine how molecular junctions enable the detection of RNA, DNA, and traces of proteins in solution with limits of detection at the zeptomole level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Essam M Dief
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Paul J Low
- School of Molecular Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Ismael Díez-Pérez
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural & Mathematical Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Nadim Darwish
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia.
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11
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Kempfer-Robertson EM, Avdic I, Haase MN, Pike TD, Thompson LM. Protonation state control of electric field induced molecular switching mechanisms. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2023; 25:5251-5261. [PMID: 36723228 DOI: 10.1039/d2cp04494c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Scanning tunneling microscopy tip-induced deprotonation has been demonstrated experimentally and can be used as an additional control mechanism in electric-field induced molecular switching. The goal of the current work is to establish whether (de)protonation can be used to inhibit or enhance the electric field controlled thermal and photoisomerization processes. Dihydroxyazobenzene is used as a model system, where protonation/deprotonation of the free hydroxyl moiety changes the azo bond order, and so modifies the rate of electric field induced isomerization. Through the combined action of deprotonation and applied field, it was found that the cis-to-trans thermal isomerization barrier could be completely removed, changing the isomerization half-life from the order of several months. In addition, due to the presence of multiple isomerization mechanisms, electric fields could modify the isomerization kinetics by increasing the number of energetically viable isomerization pathways, rather than reducing the activation barrier of the lowest energy pathway. Excited state calculations indicated that the protonation state and electric field could be used together to control the presence of electronic degeneracies along the rotation pathway between S0/S1, and along all three pathways between S1/S2. This work provides insight into the mechanisms that enable the use of protonation state, light, and electric fields in concert to control molecular switches.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Irma Avdic
- Department of Chemistry, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40208, USA.
| | - Meagan N Haase
- Department of Chemistry, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40208, USA.
| | - Thomas Dane Pike
- Department of Chemistry, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40208, USA.
| | - Lee M Thompson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40208, USA.
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12
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Cleavage of non-polar C(sp 2)‒C(sp 2) bonds in cycloparaphenylenes via electric field-catalyzed electrophilic aromatic substitution. Nat Commun 2023; 14:293. [PMID: 36653339 PMCID: PMC9849230 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35686-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Electrophilic aromatic substitution (EAS) is one of the most fundamental reactions in organic chemistry. Using an oriented external electric field (OEEF) instead of traditional reagents to tune the EAS reactivity can offer an environmentally friendly method to synthesize aromatic compounds and hold the promise of broadening its scope. Despite these advantages, OEEF catalysis of EAS is difficult to realize, due to the challenge of microscopically orienting OEEF along the direction of electron reorganizations. In this work, we demonstrate OEEF-catalyzed EAS reactions in a series of cycloparaphenylenes (CPPs) using the scanning tunneling microscope break junction (STM-BJ) technique. Crucially, the unique radial π-conjugation of CPPs enables a desired alignment for the OEEF to catalyze the EAS with Au STM tip (or substrate) acting as an electrophile. Under mild conditions, the OEEF-catalyzed EAS reactions can cleave the inherently inert C(sp2)-C(sp2) bond, leading to high-yield (~97%) formation of linear oligophenylenes terminated with covalent Au-C bonds. These results not only demonstrate the feasibility of OEEF catalysis of EAS, but also offer a way of exploring new mechanistic principles of classic organic reactions aided by OEEF.
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13
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Mahapatra S, Jiang N. Precise tracking of tip-induced structural variation at the single-chemical-bond limit. LIGHT, SCIENCE & APPLICATIONS 2023; 12:21. [PMID: 36627289 PMCID: PMC9832007 DOI: 10.1038/s41377-022-01055-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Sub-nanometer-resolved TERS provides a systematic way for investigating tip-molecule interaction and molecular motions, enabling a promising approach to examine on-surface reaction mechanisms and catalysis at the microscopic level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayantan Mahapatra
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA
| | - Nan Jiang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA.
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14
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Single-Molecule Chemical Reactions Unveiled in Molecular Junctions. Processes (Basel) 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/pr10122574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding chemical processes at the single-molecule scale represents the ultimate limit of analytical chemistry. Single-molecule detection techniques allow one to reveal the detailed dynamics and kinetics of a chemical reaction with unprecedented accuracy. It has also enabled the discoveries of new reaction pathways or intermediates/transition states that are inaccessible in conventional ensemble experiments, which is critical to elucidating their intrinsic mechanisms. Thanks to the rapid development of single-molecule junction (SMJ) techniques, detecting chemical reactions via monitoring the electrical current through single molecules has received an increasing amount of attention and has witnessed tremendous advances in recent years. Research efforts in this direction have opened a new route for probing chemical and physical processes with single-molecule precision. This review presents detailed advancements in probing single-molecule chemical reactions using SMJ techniques. We specifically highlight recent progress in investigating electric-field-driven reactions, reaction dynamics and kinetics, host–guest interactions, and redox reactions of different molecular systems. Finally, we discuss the potential of single-molecule detection using SMJs across various future applications.
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15
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Xu X, Wang J, Blankevoort N, Daaoub A, Sangtarash S, Shi J, Fang C, Yuan S, Chen L, Liu J, Yang Y, Sadeghi H, Hong W. Scaling of quantum interference from single molecules to molecular cages and their monolayers. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2211786119. [PMID: 36343232 PMCID: PMC9674264 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2211786119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The discovery of quantum interference (QI) is widely considered as an important advance in molecular electronics since it provides unique opportunities for achieving single-molecule devices with unprecedented performance. Although some pioneering studies suggested the presence of spin qubit coherence and QI in collective systems such as thin films, it remains unclear whether the QI can be transferred step-by-step from single molecules to different length scales, which hinders the application of QI in fabricating active molecular devices. Here, we found that QI can be transferred from a single molecule to their assemblies. We synthesized and investigated the charge transport through the molecular cages using 1,3-dipyridylbenzene (DPB) as a ligand block with a destructive quantum interference (DQI) effect and 2,5-dipyridylfuran (DPF) as a control building block with a constructive quantum interference (CQI) effect using both single-molecule break junction and large area junction techniques. Combined experiments and calculations revealed that both DQI and CQI had been transferred from the ligand blocks to the molecular cages and the monolayer thin film of the cages. Our work introduced QI effects from a ligand to the molecular cage comprising 732 atoms and even their monolayers, suggesting that the quantum interference could be scaled up within the phase-coherent distance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohui Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering & Pen-Tung Sah Institute of Micro-Nano Science and Technology, IKKEM, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Juejun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering & Pen-Tung Sah Institute of Micro-Nano Science and Technology, IKKEM, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Nickel Blankevoort
- Device Modelling Group, School of Engineering, University of Warwick, CV4 7AL Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Abdalghani Daaoub
- Device Modelling Group, School of Engineering, University of Warwick, CV4 7AL Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Sara Sangtarash
- Device Modelling Group, School of Engineering, University of Warwick, CV4 7AL Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Jie Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering & Pen-Tung Sah Institute of Micro-Nano Science and Technology, IKKEM, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Chao Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering & Pen-Tung Sah Institute of Micro-Nano Science and Technology, IKKEM, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Saisai Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering & Pen-Tung Sah Institute of Micro-Nano Science and Technology, IKKEM, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Lichuan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering & Pen-Tung Sah Institute of Micro-Nano Science and Technology, IKKEM, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Junyang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering & Pen-Tung Sah Institute of Micro-Nano Science and Technology, IKKEM, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Yang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering & Pen-Tung Sah Institute of Micro-Nano Science and Technology, IKKEM, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Hatef Sadeghi
- Device Modelling Group, School of Engineering, University of Warwick, CV4 7AL Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Wenjing Hong
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering & Pen-Tung Sah Institute of Micro-Nano Science and Technology, IKKEM, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
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Zhu X, Xu Y, Zhao C, Jia C, Guo X. Recent Advances in Photochemical Reactions on Single-Molecule Electrical Platforms. Macromol Rapid Commun 2022; 43:e2200017. [PMID: 35150177 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202200017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2022] [Revised: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The photochemical reaction is a very important type of chemical reactions. Visualizing and controlling photo-mediated reactions is a long-standing goal and challenge. In this regard, single-molecule electrical detection with label-free, real-time and in situ characteristics has unique advantages in monitoring the dynamic process of photoreactions at the single-molecule level. In this Review, we provide a valuable summary of the latest process of single-molecule photochemical reactions based on single-molecule electrical platforms. The single-molecule electrical detection platforms for monitoring photoreactions are displayed, including their fundamental principles, construction methods and practical applications. The single-molecule studies of two different types of light-mediated reactions are summarized as below: i) photo-induced reactions, including reversible cyclization, conformational isomerization and other photo-related reactions; ii) plasmon-mediated photoreactions, including reaction mechanisms and concrete examples, such as plasmon-induced photolysis of S-S/O-O bonds and tautomerization of porphycene. In addition, the prospects for future research directions and challenges in this field are also discussed. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Zhu
- Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Micro-scale Optical Information Science and Technology, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin, 300350, P. R. China.,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
| | - Yanxia Xu
- Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Micro-scale Optical Information Science and Technology, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin, 300350, P. R. China
| | - Cong Zhao
- 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
| | - Chuancheng Jia
- Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Micro-scale Optical Information Science and Technology, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin, 300350, P. R. China
| | - Xuefeng Guo
- Center of Single-Molecule Sciences, Institute of Modern Optics, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Micro-scale Optical Information Science and Technology, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin, 300350, P. R. China.,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
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