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Affiliation(s)
- Akira Aiba
- Department of chemistryTokyo institute of technology 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku Tokyo 152-8551
| | - Madoka Iwane
- Department of chemistryTokyo institute of technology 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku Tokyo 152-8551
| | - Shintaro Fujii
- Department of chemistryTokyo institute of technology 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku Tokyo 152-8551
| | - Manabu Kiguchi
- Department of chemistryTokyo institute of technology 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku Tokyo 152-8551
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Isshiki Y, Matsuzawa Y, Fujii S, Kiguchi M. Investigation on Single-Molecule Junctions Based on Current⁻Voltage Characteristics. Micromachines (Basel) 2018; 9:mi9020067. [PMID: 30393343 PMCID: PMC6187306 DOI: 10.3390/mi9020067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2018] [Revised: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 01/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The relationship between the current through an electronic device and the voltage across its terminals is a current–voltage characteristic (I–V) that determine basic device performance. Currently, I–V measurement on a single-molecule scale can be performed using break junction technique, where a single molecule junction can be prepared by trapping a single molecule into a nanogap between metal electrodes. The single-molecule I–Vs provide not only the device performance, but also reflect information on energy dispersion of the electronic state and the electron-molecular vibration coupling in the junction. This mini review focuses on recent representative studies on I–Vs of the single molecule junctions that cover investigation on the single-molecule diode property, the molecular vibration, and the electronic structure as a form of transmission probability, and electronic density of states, including the spin state of the single-molecule junctions. In addition, thermoelectronic measurements based on I–Vs and identification of the charged carriers (i.e., electrons or holes) are presented. The analysis in the single-molecule I–Vs provides fundamental and essential information for a better understanding of the single-molecule science, and puts the single molecule junction to more practical use in molecular devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuji Isshiki
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 W4-10 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8551, Japan.
| | - Yuya Matsuzawa
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 W4-10 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8551, Japan.
| | - Shintaro Fujii
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 W4-10 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8551, Japan.
| | - Manabu Kiguchi
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 W4-10 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8551, Japan.
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KIGUCHI M. Studies on single-molecule bridging metal electrodes: development of new characterization technique and functionalities. Proc Jpn Acad Ser B Phys Biol Sci 2018; 94:350-359. [PMID: 30416175 PMCID: PMC6275331 DOI: 10.2183/pjab.94.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2018] [Accepted: 09/12/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
A single molecular junction is a nanoscale structure prepared by bridging a single molecule between macroscopic metal electrodes. It has attracted significant attention due to its unique structure and potential applications in ultra-small single molecular electronic devices. It has two metal-molecule interfaces, and thus the electronic structure of the molecule can be significantly modulated from its original one. The single molecular junction can be regarded as a new material that includes metal electrodes, a so-called "double interface material". Therefore, we can expect unconventional physical and chemical properties. To develop a better understanding of the properties and functionalities of single molecular junctions, their atomic and electronic structures should be characterized. In this review, we describe the development of these characterization techniques, such as inelastic electron tunneling spectroscopy, surface-enhanced Raman scattering, as well as shot noise and thermopower measurements. We have also described some unique properties and functionalities of single molecular junctions, such as switching and diode properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manabu KIGUCHI
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo, Japan
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Pal AN, Klein T, Vilan A, Tal O. Electronic conduction during the formation stages of a single-molecule junction. Beilstein J Nanotechnol 2018; 9:1471-1477. [PMID: 29977680 PMCID: PMC6009221 DOI: 10.3762/bjnano.9.138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2017] [Accepted: 04/04/2018] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Single-molecule junctions are versatile test beds for electronic transport at the atomic scale. However, not much is known about the early formation steps of such junctions. Here, we study the electronic transport properties of premature junction configurations before the realization of a single-molecule bridge based on vanadocene molecules and silver electrodes. With the aid of conductance measurements, inelastic electron spectroscopy and shot noise analysis, we identify the formation of a single-molecule junction in parallel to a single-atom junction and examine the interplay between these two conductance pathways. Furthermore, the role of this structure in the formation of single-molecule junctions is studied. Our findings reveal the conductance and structural properties of premature molecular junction configurations and uncover the different scenarios in which a single-molecule junction is formed. Future control over such processes may pave the way for directed formation of preferred junction structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atindra Nath Pal
- Department of Chemical and Biological Physics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
- Department of Condensed Matter Physics and Material Sciences, S. N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, Block JD, Sector III, Salt Lake, Kolkata 700 106, India
| | - Tal Klein
- Department of Chemical and Biological Physics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Ayelet Vilan
- Department of Chemical and Biological Physics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Oren Tal
- Department of Chemical and Biological Physics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
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Iwane M, Fujii S, Kiguchi M. Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering in Molecular Junctions. Sensors (Basel) 2017; 17:E1901. [PMID: 28820430 DOI: 10.3390/s17081901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2017] [Revised: 08/11/2017] [Accepted: 08/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is a surface-sensitive vibrational spectroscopy that allows Raman spectroscopy on a single molecular scale. Here, we present a review of SERS from molecular junctions, in which a single molecule or molecules are made to have contact from the top to the bottom of metal surfaces. The molecular junctions are nice platforms for SERS as well as transport measurement. Electronic characterization based on the transport measurements of molecular junctions has been extensively studied for the development of miniaturized electronic devices. Simultaneous SERS and transport measurement of the molecular junctions allow both structural (geometrical) and electronic information on the single molecule scale. The improvement of SERS measurement on molecular junctions open the door toward new nanoscience and nanotechnology in molecular electronics.
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Abstract
Much progress has been made in understanding the transport properties of atomic-scale conductors. We prepared atomic-scale metal contacts of Cu, Ag, Au and Pt using a mechanically controllable break junction method at 10 K in a cryogenic vacuum. Water molecules were exposed to the metal atomic contacts and the effect of molecular adsorption was investigated by electronic conductance measurements. Statistical analysis of the electronic conductance showed that the water molecule(s) interacted with the surface of the inert Au contact and the reactive Cu ant Pt contacts, where molecular adsorption decreased the electronic conductance. A clear conductance signature of water adsorption was not apparent at the Ag contact. Detailed analysis of the conductance behaviour during a contact-stretching process indicated that metal atomic wires were formed for the Au and Pt contacts. The formation of an Au atomic wire consisting of low coordination number atoms leads to increased reactivity of the inert Au surface towards the adsorption of water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Li
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 W4-10 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8551, Japan.
| | - Satoshi Kaneko
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 W4-10 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8551, Japan.
| | - Shintaro Fujii
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 W4-10 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8551, Japan.
| | - Tomoaki Nishino
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 W4-10 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8551, Japan.
| | - Manabu Kiguchi
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 W4-10 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8551, Japan.
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Abstract
Surface enhanced Raman scattering of a single molecular junction together with the conductance measurements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryuji Matsushita
- Department of Chemistry
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering
- Tokyo Institute of Technology
- Tokyo 152-8551
- Japan
| | - Manabu Kiguchi
- Department of Chemistry
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering
- Tokyo Institute of Technology
- Tokyo 152-8551
- Japan
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Bâldea I. Electrochemical setup – a unique chance to simultaneously control orbital energies and vibrational properties of single-molecule junctions with unprecedented efficiency. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2014; 16:25942-9. [DOI: 10.1039/c4cp04316b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Yelin T, Vardimon R, Kuritz N, Korytár R, Bagrets A, Evers F, Kronik L, Tal O. Atomically wired molecular junctions: connecting a single organic molecule by chains of metal atoms. Nano Lett 2013; 13:1956-1961. [PMID: 23517527 DOI: 10.1021/nl304702z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Using a break junction technique, we find a clear signature for the formation of conducting hybrid junctions composed of a single organic molecule (benzene, naphthalene, or anthracene) connected to chains of platinum atoms. The hybrid junctions exhibit metallic-like conductance (~0.1-1G0), which is rather insensitive to further elongation by additional atoms. At low bias voltage the hybrid junctions can be elongated significantly beyond the length of the bare atomic chains. Ab initio calculations reveal that benzene based hybrid junctions have a significant binding energy and high structural flexibility that may contribute to the survival of the hybrid junction during the elongation process. The fabrication of hybrid junctions opens the way for combining the different properties of atomic chains and organic molecules to realize a new class of atomic scale interfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamar Yelin
- Department of Chemical Physics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 76100 Israel
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Abstract
Single molecular junctions, in which a single molecule bridges between metal electrodes, have attracted wide attention as novel properties can appear due to their peculiar geometrical and electronic characters. The single molecular junction has also attracted attention due to its potential application in ultrasmall single molecular electronic devices, where single molecules are utilized as active electronic components. Thus, fabrication of single molecular junctions as well as understanding and controlling their properties (e.g. conductance, optical and magnetic properties) have become long-standing goals of scientists and engineers. This review article focuses on the experimental aspects of single molecular junctions, with primary focus on the electron transport mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manabu Kiguchi
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 W4-10 Ookayama, Tokyo 152-8551, Japan.
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Abstract
The interaction of carbon monoxide molecules with atomic-scale platinum nanojunctions is investigated by low temperature mechanically controllable break junction experiments. Combining plateau length analysis, two-dimensional conductance-displacement histograms and conditional correlation analysis a comprehensive microscopic picture is proposed about the formation and evolution of Pt-CO-Pt single-molecule configurations. Our analysis implies that before pure Pt monoatomic chains are formed a CO molecule infiltrates the junction, first in a configuration that is perpendicular to the contact axis. This molecular junction is strong enough to pull a monoatomic platinum chain with the molecule being incorporated in the chain. Along the chain formation the molecule can either stay in the perpendicular configuration, or rotate to a parallel configuration. The evolution of the single-molecule configurations along the junction displacement shows quantitative agreement with theoretical predictions, justifying the interpretation in terms of perpendicular and parallel molecular alignment. Our analysis demonstrates that the combination of two-dimensional conductance-displacement histograms with conditional correlation analysis is a useful tool to analyze separately fundamentally different types of junction trajectories in single molecule break junction experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Makk
- Department of Physics, Budapest University of Technology and Economics and Condensed Matter Research Group of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budafoki ut 8, 1111 Budapest, Hungary
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Kiguchi M, Kaneko S. Electron transport through single π-conjugated molecules bridging between metal electrodes. Chemphyschem 2012; 13:1116-26. [PMID: 22311828 DOI: 10.1002/cphc.201100772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2011] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Understanding electron transport through a single molecule bridging between metal electrodes is a central issue in the field of molecular electronics. This review covers the fabrication and electron-transport properties of single π-conjugated molecule junctions, which include benzene, fullerene, and π-stacked molecules. The metal/molecule interface plays a decisive role in determining the stability and conductivity of single-molecule junctions. The effect of the metal-molecule contact on the conductance of the single π-conjugated molecule junction is reviewed. The characterization of the single benzene molecule junction is also discussed using inelastic electron tunneling spectroscopy and shot noise. Finally, electron transport through the π-stacked system using π-stacked aromatic molecules enclosed within self-assembled coordination cages is reviewed. The electron transport in the π-stacked systems is found to be efficient at the single-molecule level, thus providing insight into the design of conductive materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manabu Kiguchi
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 W4-10 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8551, Japan.
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Zhao K, Troparevsky MC, Xiao D, Eguiluz AG, Zhang Z. Electronic coupling and optimal gap size between two metal nanoparticles. Phys Rev Lett 2009; 102:186804. [PMID: 19518899 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.102.186804] [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: 01/23/2009] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
We study the electronic coupling between two silver nanoparticles using ab initio density functional theory for real atoms. We show that the electronic coupling depends on both the gap size of the dimer system and the relative orientation of the particles. As the two particles are separated from touching contact, the dimer undergoes a bond-breaking step, which also establishes the striking existence of an optimal gap size defined by a maximal static polarizability of the dimer. For some dimers, the electronic coupling before the bond breaking can be strong enough to give rise to a net magnetic moment of the dimer, even though the isolated particles are nonmagnetic. These findings may be instrumental in understanding and controlling the physical and chemical properties of closely packed nanoparticle aggregates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Zhao
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, USA
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Kiguchi M, Nakazumi T, Hashimoto K, Murakoshi K. Characterization of the Au Atomic Contact in a Hydrogen Environment Using Vibration Spectroscopy of a Single Molecular Junction. e-J Surf Sci Nanotechnol 2009; 7:53-56. [DOI: 10.1380/ejssnt.2009.53] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Paulsson M, Frederiksen T, Ueba H, Lorente N, Brandbyge M. Unified description of inelastic propensity rules for electron transport through nanoscale junctions. Phys Rev Lett 2008; 100:226604. [PMID: 18643440 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.100.226604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2007] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
We present a method to analyze the results of first-principles based calculations of electronic currents including inelastic electron-phonon effects. This method allows us to determine the electronic and vibrational symmetries in play, and hence to obtain the so-called propensity rules for the studied systems. We show that only a few scattering states--namely those belonging to the most transmitting eigenchannels--need to be considered for a complete description of the electron transport. We apply the method on first-principles calculations of four different systems and obtain the propensity rules in each case.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magnus Paulsson
- Division of Physics, School of Pure and Applied Natural Science, University of Kalmar, 391 82 Kalmar, Sweden.
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Ohara M, Kim Y, Yanagisawa S, Morikawa Y, Kawai M. Role of molecular orbitals near the fermi level in the excitation of vibrational modes of a single molecule at a scanning tunneling microscope junction. Phys Rev Lett 2008; 100:136104. [PMID: 18517972 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.100.136104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2007] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Inelastically tunneled electrons from the tip of a scanning tunneling microscope were used to induce S-S bond dissociation of a (CH(3)S)(2) and lateral hopping of a CH(3)S on Cu(111) at 4.7 K. Both experimental results and theoretical calculations confirm that the excitation mechanism of the vibrationally induced chemistry reflects the projected density of states of molecular orbitals that appear near the Fermi level as a result of the rehybridization of the orbitals between the adsorbed molecules and the substrate metal atoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michiaki Ohara
- Surface Chemistry Laboratory, RIKEN, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
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Andrews DQ, Van Duyne RP, Ratner MA. Stochastic modulation in molecular electronic transport junctions: molecular dynamics coupled with charge transport calculations. Nano Lett 2008; 8:1120-1126. [PMID: 18351748 DOI: 10.1021/nl073265l] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The experimental variation in conductance that can be expected through dynamically evolving Au-molecule-Au junctions is approximated using molecular dynamics to model thermal fluctuations and a nonequilibrium Green's function code (Hückel-IV 2.0) to calculate the charge transport. This generates a statistical set of conductance data that can be used to compare directly with experimental results. Experimental measurements on Au-single molecule junctions show a large variation in conductance values between different identically prepared junctions. Our computational results indicate that the Au-Au and the Au-molecule fluctuations provide extensive geometric freedom and an associated broad distribution in calculated conductance values. Our results show agreement with experimental measurements of the low bias voltage conductance and conductance distribution for both thiol-Au and amine-Au linker structures. -
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Affiliation(s)
- David Q Andrews
- Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, EVanston, IL 60208, USA.
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Kiguchi M, Sekiguchi N, Murakoshi K. In-situ preparation of a single molecular junction with mechanically controllable break junctions in vacuum. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008. [DOI: 10.1088/1742-6596/100/5/052059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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Kiguchi M, Konishi T, Miura S, Murakoshi K. The effect of hydrogen evolution reaction on conductance quantization of Au, Ag, Cu nanocontacts. Nanotechnology 2007; 18:424011. [PMID: 21730444 DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/18/42/424011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
We have mechanically fabricated Au, Ag, and Cu nanocontacts in solution under electrochemical potential control. At the hydrogen evolution potential, fractional conductance peaks appeared near 0.5 G(0) (G(0) = 2e(2)/h) in the conductance histogram of Au and Cu. This fractional conductance peak was not observed in the conductance histogram of Ag. In the case of Au nanocontacts in 50 mM H(2)SO(4) solution, a 0.1 G(0) peak appeared in the conductance histogram, as well as the 0.5 G(0) peak. The origin of the fractional conductance peak and its metal dependence are discussed based on previously reported values of metal-hydrogen binding energy, which was estimated by the exchange current density for the hydrogen evolution reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manabu Kiguchi
- Division of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0810, Japan. PRESTO, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Sapporo, 060-0810, Japan
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