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Abstract
One of the principal aims of single-molecule electronics is to create practical devices out of individual molecules. Such devices are expected to play a particularly important role as novel sensors thanks to their response to wide ranging external stimuli. Here we show that the conductance of a molecular junction can depend on two independent stimuli simultaneously. Using a scanning tunnelling microscope break-junction technique (STM-BJ), we found that the conductance of 4,4′-vinylenedipyridine (44VDP) molecular junctions with Ni contacts depends on both the electrochemically applied gate voltage and the pH of the environment. Hence, not only can the Ni|44VDP|Ni junction function as a pH-sensitive switch, but the value of the pH at which switching takes place can be tuned electrically. Furthermore, through the simultaneous control of pH and potential the STM-BJ technique delivers unique insight into the acid-base reaction, including the observation of discrete proton transfers to and from a single molecule.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1317-1322 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Nano Letters |
Volume | 18 |
Issue number | 2 |
Early online date | 22 Jan 2018 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 14 Feb 2018 |
Keywords
- Break-junction
- electron transfer
- fluctuations
- molecular electronics
- protonation
- sensors
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Projects
- 1 Finished
Profiles
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Professor Walther Schwarzacher
- The Bristol Centre for Nanoscience and Quantum Information
- School of Physics - Professor of Physics
Person: Academic , Member