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Lu Z, Zheng J, Shi J, Zeng BF, Yang Y, Hong W, Tian ZQ. Application of Micro/Nanofabrication Techniques to On-Chip Molecular Electronics. Small Methods 2021; 5:e2001034. [PMID: 34927836 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202001034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Molecular electronics is a promising subject to overcome the size limitation of silicon-based electronic devices. In the past decades, various micro/nanofabrication techniques have been developed for constructing molecular junctions, and a number of breakthroughs are made in the characterizations and applications of the single-molecule device. The history and progress are reviewed in this article, laying emphasis on the recent works on the combination of micro/nanofabrication techniques with other techniques such as electrochemical deposition and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). Some prototypical single-molecule devices such as molecular transistors are presented. Finally, the challenges and prospects in the fabrication of single-molecule devices are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhixing Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, iChEM, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Pen-Tung Sah Institute of Micro-Nano Science and Technology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China
| | - Jueting Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, iChEM, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Pen-Tung Sah Institute of Micro-Nano Science and Technology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China
| | - Jie Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, iChEM, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Pen-Tung Sah Institute of Micro-Nano Science and Technology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China
| | - Biao-Feng Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, iChEM, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Pen-Tung Sah Institute of Micro-Nano Science and Technology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China
| | - Yang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, iChEM, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Pen-Tung Sah Institute of Micro-Nano Science and Technology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China
- Innovation Laboratory for Sciences and Technologies of Energy Materials of Fujian Province (IKKEM), Xiamen, 361005, China
| | - Wenjing Hong
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, iChEM, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Pen-Tung Sah Institute of Micro-Nano Science and Technology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China
- Innovation Laboratory for Sciences and Technologies of Energy Materials of Fujian Province (IKKEM), Xiamen, 361005, China
| | - Zhong-Qun Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, iChEM, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Pen-Tung Sah Institute of Micro-Nano Science and Technology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China
- Innovation Laboratory for Sciences and Technologies of Energy Materials of Fujian Province (IKKEM), Xiamen, 361005, China
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2
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Dokukin SA, Kolesnikov SV, Saletsky AM. Molecular dynamics simulation of the formation of Cu-Pt nanocontacts in the mechanically controlled break junction experiments. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2020; 22:16136-16142. [PMID: 32638767 DOI: 10.1039/d0cp02903c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The formation of the Cu-Pt nanocontacts has been investigated by means of classical molecular dynamics simulations. The simulations of the mechanically controlled break junction experiment have been performed in wide ranges of temperatures (0-300 K) and at relative Pt concentrations (0-20%). The structure of the breaking area has been studied 2 ns before the final breaking of the nanocontacts. The length of the breaking area increases with the increase of the temperature and decreases with the increase of the relative Pt concentration. The structure of the breaking area has been investigated by means of the radial distribution function method. The breaking area usually has one of the following structures: (i) a bulk-like structure, (ii) a structure consisting of centered icosahedrons rotated 90°, or (iii) an icosahedral structure composed of pentagonal rings. The structure of the breaking area is almost independent of the temperature and the stretching direction due to the strong Cu-Pt interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- S A Dokukin
- Faculty of Physics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119991, Russian Federation. and A. M. Obukhov Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pyzhevsky Per., 3, 119017, Moscow, Russia
| | - S V Kolesnikov
- Faculty of Physics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119991, Russian Federation.
| | - A M Saletsky
- Faculty of Physics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119991, Russian Federation.
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Gao HY, Šekutor M, Liu L, Timmer A, Schreyer H, Mönig H, Amirjalayer S, Fokina NA, Studer A, Schreiner PR, Fuchs H. Diamantane Suspended Single Copper Atoms. J Am Chem Soc 2018; 141:315-322. [DOI: 10.1021/jacs.8b10067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Ying Gao
- Center for Nanotechnology, Heisenberg Straße 11, Münster 48149, Germany
- Department of Physics, Münster University, Wilhelm-Klemm-Straße 10, Münster 48149, Germany
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Marina Šekutor
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Justus Liebig University, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 17, and Center for Materials Research (LaMa), Justus Liebig University, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 16, Giessen 35392, Germany
- Department of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, Zagreb 10 000, Croatia
| | - Lacheng Liu
- Center for Nanotechnology, Heisenberg Straße 11, Münster 48149, Germany
- Department of Physics, Münster University, Wilhelm-Klemm-Straße 10, Münster 48149, Germany
| | - Alexander Timmer
- Center for Nanotechnology, Heisenberg Straße 11, Münster 48149, Germany
- Department of Physics, Münster University, Wilhelm-Klemm-Straße 10, Münster 48149, Germany
| | - Hannah Schreyer
- Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung, Kaiser-Wilhelm-Platz 1, Mülheim an der Ruhr 45470, Germany
| | - Harry Mönig
- Center for Nanotechnology, Heisenberg Straße 11, Münster 48149, Germany
- Department of Physics, Münster University, Wilhelm-Klemm-Straße 10, Münster 48149, Germany
| | - Saeed Amirjalayer
- Center for Nanotechnology, Heisenberg Straße 11, Münster 48149, Germany
- Department of Physics, Münster University, Wilhelm-Klemm-Straße 10, Münster 48149, Germany
| | - Natalie A. Fokina
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Justus Liebig University, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 17, and Center for Materials Research (LaMa), Justus Liebig University, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 16, Giessen 35392, Germany
| | - Armido Studer
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Münster University, Correns Straße 40, Münster 48149, Germany
| | - Peter R. Schreiner
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Justus Liebig University, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 17, and Center for Materials Research (LaMa), Justus Liebig University, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 16, Giessen 35392, Germany
| | - Harald Fuchs
- Center for Nanotechnology, Heisenberg Straße 11, Münster 48149, Germany
- Department of Physics, Münster University, Wilhelm-Klemm-Straße 10, Münster 48149, Germany
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Yamada K, Kizuka T. Transformation from slip to plastic flow deformation mechanism during tensile deformation of zirconium nanocontacts. Sci Rep 2017; 7:42901. [PMID: 28218244 PMCID: PMC5317169 DOI: 10.1038/srep42901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2016] [Accepted: 01/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Various types of nanometer-sized structures have been applied to advanced functional and structural devices. Inherent structures, thermal stability, and properties of such nanostructures are emphasized when their size is decreased to several nanometers, especially, to several atoms. In this study, we observed the atomistic tensile deformation process of zirconium nanocontacts, which are typical nanostructures used in connection of nanometer-sized wires, transistors, and diodes, memory devices, and sensors, by in situ transmission electron microscopy. It was found that the contact was deformed via a plastic flow mechanism, which differs from the slip on lattice planes frequently observed in metals, and that the crystallinity became disordered. The various irregular relaxed structures formed during the deformation process affected the conductance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kohei Yamada
- Division of Materials Science, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8573, Japan
| | - Tokushi Kizuka
- Division of Materials Science, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8573, Japan
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Abstract
Optical response spectra of AgnCu13−n+ Bernal spiral clusters show subtle variations by dopant site and loading. Comparison to nanorod-like and icosahedral clusters shows local geometry plays a significant role in electronic transitions at the sub-nanoscale.
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Lin YC, Pen DJ, Chen JN. Molecular dynamic simulation of stress evolution analysis in Cu nanowire under ultra-high strain-rate simple tension. Mol Phys 2013. [DOI: 10.1080/00268976.2013.833657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Lagos MJ, Sato F, Autreto PAS, Galvão DS, Rodrigues V, Ugarte D. Temperature effects on the atomic arrangement and conductance of atomic-size gold nanowires generated by mechanical stretching. Nanotechnology 2010; 21:485702. [PMID: 21063051 DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/21/48/485702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
We have studied the changes induced by thermal effects in the structural and transport response of Au nanowires generated by mechanical elongation. We have used time-resolved atomic resolution transmission electron microscopy imaging and quantum conductance measurement using a mechanically controllable break junction. Our results showed remarkable differences in the NW evolution for experiments realized at 150 and 300 K, which modifies drastically the conductance response during elongation. Molecular dynamics and electronic transport calculations were used to consistently correlate the observed structural and conductance behavior. These results emphasize that it is essential to take into account the precise atomic arrangement of nanocontacts generated by mechanical stretching to understand electrical transport properties. Also, our study shows that much care must be taken when comparing results obtained in different experimental conditions, mainly different temperatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Lagos
- Intituto de Física Gleb Wathagin, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Unicamp, 13083-970 Campinas São Paulo, Brazil
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Abstract
By means of molecular dynamics simulations, we investigate solid-solid phase transitions between the regular crystalline structure and the unbuckled atomic-sized one in ultrathin copper nanowires under uniaxial elongation and compression. The interatomic potential employed has been verified to be capable of describing the structural and mechanical properties of ultrathin copper nanowires. The coupled effects of size, uniaxial force and relaxing temperature on the transitions have been revealed. Both the reported phase transition from the crystalline structure to the helical one and the unexpected inverse behavior are found. At a relaxing temperature of 900 K, helical structures are dominant for effective diameters less than 0.8 nm, while the uniaxial force may lead to helical-crystalline phase transitions for thicker ones. We also observe that the transition from a helical 12-7-1 nanowire to a crystalline [110] nanowire is much easier than the inverse transition. Our results demonstrate the structural phase transitions between the crystalline structures and the unbuckled atomic-sized ones of the force-suspended metal nanowires.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianwei Zhu
- Department of Physics, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, People's Republic of China
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Liu Y, Wang F, Zhao J, Jiang L, Kiguchi M, Murakoshi K. Theoretical investigation on the influence of temperature and crystallographic orientation on the breaking behavior of copper nanowire. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2009; 11:6514-9. [PMID: 19809684 DOI: 10.1039/b902795e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
In this paper, molecular dynamics simulations have been conducted to study the mechanical stretching of copper nanowires which will finally lead to the formation of suspended liner atomic chains. A total of 2700 samples have been investigated to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the influence of temperature and orientation on the formation of linear atomic chains. Our results prove that linear atomic chains do exist for [100], [111] and [110] crystallographic directions. Stretching along the [111] direction exhibits a higher probability in forming the two-atom contact than that along the [110] and [100] directions. However, for longer linear atomic chains, there emerges a reversed trend. In addition, increasing temperature may decrease the formation probability for stretching along [111] and [110] directions, but this influence is less obvious for that along the [100] direction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunhong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science (Ministry of Education), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China 210008
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Lagos MJ, Sato F, Bettini J, Rodrigues V, Galvão DS, Ugarte D. Observation of the smallest metal nanotube with a square cross-section. Nat Nanotechnol 2009; 4:149-152. [PMID: 19265842 DOI: 10.1038/nnano.2008.414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2008] [Accepted: 12/19/2008] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the mechanical properties of nanoscale systems requires a range of measurement techniques and theoretical approaches to gather the relevant physical and chemical information. The arrangements of atoms in nanostructures and macroscopic matter can be different, principally due to the role of surface energy, but the interplay between atomic and electronic structure in association with applied mechanical stress can also lead to surprising differences. For example, metastable structures such as suspended chains of atoms and helical wires have been produced by stretching metal junctions. Here, we report the spontaneous formation of the smallest possible metal nanotube with a square cross-section during the elongation of silver nanocontacts. Ab initio calculations and molecular simulations indicate that the hollow wire forms because this configuration allows the surface energy to be minimized, and also generates a soft structure capable of absorbing a huge tensile deformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Lagos
- Laboratório Nacional de Luz Síncrotron, C.P. 6192, 13083-970 Campinas SP, Brazil
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Boyle TJ, Pratt HD, Alam TM, Headley T, Rodriguez MA. Synthesis and Characterization of Thiolate-Oxo Ligated Zinc Alkyl Derivatives for Production of Zn-Based Nanoparticles. Eur J Inorg Chem 2009; 2009:855-865. [PMID: 24068879 PMCID: PMC3780448 DOI: 10.1002/ejic.200800886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2008] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
A series of mercapto-oxo containing reagents [3-mercaptopropionic acid (H2-3MPA), 4-mercaptophenol (H2-4MP), 2-mercaptopyridine-N-oxide (H-2MPO)] was reacted with diethyl zinc (ZnEt2) in hexanes/pyridine (py) to yield {(μ4-3MPA)[Zn(Et)(py)]4}∞ (1), [(py)2(Et)Zn(μ3-4MP)Zn(Et)(py)]2 (2), and (2MPO)Zn(Et)py (3). For polymeric 1, each of the functional sites of the 3MPA was bound to four tetrahedral (Td) coordinated Zn(Et)(py) subunits. The sulfur of the 3MPA bridges two of the 'Zn(Et)(py)' subunits, which are also bridged by the two carboxylate oxygens of another 3MPA to propagate the chain. In contrast, 2 forms a discrete tetranuclear species consisting of two Zn(Et)(py) moieties bridged by the oxygens of two 4MP ligands with the thiolate sites of each terminated by Zn(Et)(py)2 moieties. Compound 3 adopts a monomeric species using a chelating 2MPO, a terminal Et, and a bound py to fill the Td coordination of the Zn metal center. Compounds 1 - 3 were then used to generate nanoparticles via solution precipitation and solvothermal routes to determine the effect these precursors have on the morphology and composition of the final materials produced. Compounds 1 - 3 were found to form zincite, zinc metal, or mixed zincite/wurtzite phases from solution precipitation or solvothermal routes; however, no routes yielded the mixed anion (i.e., ZnO x S y ) materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy J. Boyle
- Sandia National Laboratories, Advanced Materials Laboratory, 1001 University Boulevard, SE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106
| | - Harry D. Pratt
- Sandia National Laboratories, Advanced Materials Laboratory, 1001 University Boulevard, SE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106
| | - Todd M. Alam
- Sandia National Laboratories, Advanced Materials Laboratory, 1001 University Boulevard, SE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106
| | - Thomas Headley
- Sandia National Laboratories, Advanced Materials Laboratory, 1001 University Boulevard, SE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106
| | - Mark A. Rodriguez
- Sandia National Laboratories, Advanced Materials Laboratory, 1001 University Boulevard, SE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106
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Sutrakar VK, Mahapatra DR. Coupled effect of size, strain rate, and temperature on the shape memory of a pentagonal Cu nanowire. Nanotechnology 2009; 20:045701. [PMID: 19417327 DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/20/4/045701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
A body-centered pentagonal nanobridge structure with lattice constants c = 2.35 and a = 2.53 A has been observed under high strain rate tensile loading on an initially constrained [Formula: see text] Cu nanowire at various temperatures. Extensive molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have been performed using the embedded atom method (EAM) for cross-sectional dimensions ranging from 0.723 x 0.723 to 2.169 x 2.169 nm(2), temperature ranging from 10 to 600 K, and strain rates of 10(9)-10(7) s(-1). Formations of such pentagonal nanowire are observed for a temperature range 200-600 K for particular cross-sectional dimensions and strain rates. A large inelastic deformation of approximately 50% is obtained under both isothermal loading and adiabatic loading. With very high degree of repeatability of such pentagonal nanowire formation, the present findings indicate that the interesting stability property and high strength of elongated nanowires have various potential applications in nanomechanical and nanoelectronic devices. Further, we demonstrate a novel thermomechanical unloading mechanism by which it is possible to impart recovery from a pentagonal nanowire following a hysteresis loop: [Formula: see text].
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijay Kumar Sutrakar
- Mechanical Engineering Design Division, Aeronautical Development Establishment, Defence Research and Development Organization, Bangalore 560075, India
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Abstract
We have performed a massive statistical analysis on the breaking behaviour of Ni nanowires using molecular dynamic simulations. Three stretching directions, five initial nanowire sizes and two temperatures have been studied. We have constructed minimum cross-section histograms and analysed for the first time the role played by monomers and dimers. The shape of such histograms and the absolute number of monomers and dimers strongly depend on the stretching direction and the initial size of the nanowire. In particular, the statistical behaviour of the breakage final stages of narrow nanowires strongly differs from the behaviour obtained for large nanowires. We have analysed the structure around monomers and dimers. Their most probable local configurations differ from those usually appearing in static electron transport calculations. Their non-local environments show disordered regions along the nanowire if the stretching direction is [100] or [110]. Additionally, we have found that, at room temperature, [100] and [110] stretching directions favour the appearance of non-crystalline staggered pentagonal structures. These pentagonal Ni nanowires are reported in this work for the first time. This set of results suggests that experimental Ni conducting histograms could show a strong dependence on the orientation and temperature.
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Affiliation(s)
- P García-Mochales
- Departamento de Física de la Materia Condensada, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, c/ Francisco Tomás y Valiente 7, Campus de Cantoblanco, E-28049-Madrid, Spain
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Kim WY, Choi YC, Kim KS. Understanding structures and electronic/spintronic properties of single molecules, nanowires, nanotubes, and nanoribbons towards the design of nanodevices. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008. [DOI: 10.1039/b804359k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Kiguchi M, Stadler R, Kristensen IS, Djukic D, van Ruitenbeek JM. Evidence for a single hydrogen molecule connected by an atomic chain. Phys Rev Lett 2007; 98:146802. [PMID: 17501300 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.98.146802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2006] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Stable, single-molecule conducting-bridge configurations are typically identified from peak structures in a conductance histogram. In previous work on Pt with H2 at cryogenic temperatures it has been shown that a peak near 1G0 identifies a single-molecule Pt-H2-Pt bridge. The histogram shows an additional structure with lower conductance that has not been identified. Here, we show that it is likely due to a hydrogen decorated Pt chain in contact with the H2 molecular bridge.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Kiguchi
- Kamerlingh Onnes Laboratorium, Universiteit Leiden, P.O. Box 9504, NL-2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
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Cheng D, Kim WY, Min SK, Nautiyal T, Kim KS. Magic structures and quantum conductance of silver nanowires. Phys Rev Lett 2006; 96:096104. [PMID: 16606283 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.96.096104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2005] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
We investigate the pathway of thinning process for transient [110] nanowires (NWs) of Ag. The result is in good agreement with experimental observations. An unambiguous identification of the structure of a NW requires at least two views along different directions. In the cases where two views of different NW structures are practically the same for very thin NWs which pose experimental difficulty due to small signal-to-noise ratio, our theoretical analysis helps distinguish these structures. On the basis of conductance (G) calculations vis-á-vis the structure of transient NWs, the puzzling experimental observation of fractionally quantized G values is explained by considering the existence of mixed structures for thin wires.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dayong Cheng
- National Creative Research Initiative Center for Superfunctional Materials, Department of Chemistry, Pohang University of Science and Technology, San 31, Hyojadong, Namgu, Pohang 790-784, Korea
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