In situ formation of N-heterocyclic carbene-bound single-molecule junctions
The result's identifiers
Result code in IS VaVaI
<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F68378271%3A_____%2F18%3A00492829" target="_blank" >RIV/68378271:_____/18:00492829 - isvavai.cz</a>
Result on the web
<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/jacs.8b05184" target="_blank" >http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/jacs.8b05184</a>
DOI - Digital Object Identifier
<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/jacs.8b05184" target="_blank" >10.1021/jacs.8b05184</a>
Alternative languages
Result language
angličtina
Original language name
In situ formation of N-heterocyclic carbene-bound single-molecule junctions
Original language description
Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) formed using N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) have recently emerged as thermally and chemically ultrastable alternatives to those formed from thiols. The rich chemistry and strong sigma-donating ability of NHCs offer unique prospects for applications in nanoelectronics, sensing, and electrochemistry. Although stable in SAMs, free carbenes are notoriously reactive, making their electronic characterization challenging. Here we report the first investigation of electron transport across single NHC-bound molecules using the scanning tunneling microscope-based break junction (STM-BJ) technique. We develop a series of air-stable metal NHC complexes that can be electrochemically reduced in situ to form NHC electrode contacts, enabling reliable single molecule conductance measurements of NHCs under ambient conditions. Using this approach, we show that the conductance of an NHC depends on the identity of the single metal atom to which it is coordinated in the junction. Our observations are supported by density functional theory (DFT) calculations, which also firmly establish the contributions of the NHC linker to the junction transport characteristics. Our work demonstrates a powerful method to probe electron transfer across NHC electrode interfaces, more generally, it opens the door to the exploitation of surface-bound NHCs in constructing novel, functionalized electrodes and/or nanoelectronic devices.
Czech name
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Czech description
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Classification
Type
J<sub>imp</sub> - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database
CEP classification
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OECD FORD branch
10302 - Condensed matter physics (including formerly solid state physics, supercond.)
Result continuities
Project
<a href="/en/project/GA15-19672S" target="_blank" >GA15-19672S: Force and Conductance in Molecular Junctions</a><br>
Continuities
P - Projekt vyzkumu a vyvoje financovany z verejnych zdroju (s odkazem do CEP)
Others
Publication year
2018
Confidentiality
S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů
Data specific for result type
Name of the periodical
Journal of the American Chemical Society
ISSN
0002-7863
e-ISSN
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Volume of the periodical
140
Issue of the periodical within the volume
28
Country of publishing house
US - UNITED STATES
Number of pages
6
Pages from-to
8944-8949
UT code for WoS article
000439532000045
EID of the result in the Scopus database
2-s2.0-85050088888