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Switching in Nanoscale Molecular Junctions due to Contact Reconfiguration

Journal Article (2022)
Author(s)

L. Ornago (Kavli institute of nanoscience Delft, TU Delft - QN/van der Zant Lab)

Jerry Kamer (Student TU Delft, Kavli institute of nanoscience Delft)

Maria El Abbassi (Kavli institute of nanoscience Delft, TU Delft - QN/van der Zant Lab)

F.C. Grozema (TU Delft - ChemE/Opto-electronic Materials)

Herre van der Zant (Kavli institute of nanoscience Delft, TU Delft - QN/van der Zant Lab)

Research Group
QN/van der Zant Lab
Copyright
© 2022 L. Ornago, Jerry Kamer, M. El Abbassi, F.C. Grozema, H.S.J. van der Zant
DOI related publication
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpcc.2c04370
More Info
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Publication Year
2022
Language
English
Copyright
© 2022 L. Ornago, Jerry Kamer, M. El Abbassi, F.C. Grozema, H.S.J. van der Zant
Related content
Research Group
QN/van der Zant Lab
Issue number
46
Volume number
126
Pages (from-to)
19843-19848
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Abstract

Switching effects are key elements in the design and characterization of nanoscale molecular electronics systems. They are used to achieve functionality through the transition between different conducting states. In this study, we analyze the presence of switching events in reference molecular systems, which are not designed to have switching behavior, such as oligo(phenylene ethynylene)s and alkanes, using the mechanically controllable break junction technique. These events can be classified in two groups, depending on whether the breaking trace shows exponential decay or plateau-like features before the switch happens. We argue that the former correspond to junctions forming after rupture of the gold atomic point contact, while the latter can be related to a change in the contact geometry of the junction. These results highlight how a proper choice of anchoring group and careful comparison with reference compounds are essential to understanding the origin of switching in molecular break junctions.