Electrochemically controlled conductance switching in a single molecule: quinone-modified oligo(phenylene vinylene).
Reversible conductance switching in single quinone-oligo(phenylene vinylene) (Q-OPV) molecules was demonstrated using electrochemical STM. The switching was achieved by application of electrochemical potential to the substrate supporting the molecule. The ratio of conductances between the high- and low-conductivity states is over 40. The high-conductivity state is ascribed to strong electron delocalization of the fully conjugated hydroquinone-OPV structure, whereas the low-conductivity state is characterized by disruption of electron delocalization in the quinone-OPV structure.
Tsoi
Stanislav
S
Center for Bio-Molecular Science and Engineering, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375, USA.
Griva
Igor
I
Trammell
Scott A
SA
Blum
Amy S
AS
Schnur
Joel M
JM
Lebedev
Nikolai
N
D016227:Benzoquinones / Q000737:chemistry*; D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods*; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D004563:Electrochemistry / Q000379:methods*; D046911:Macromolecular Substances / Q000737:chemistry; D008422:Materials Testing; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods; D010316:Particle Size; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D013499:Surface Properties; D014753:Vinyl Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*
D016227:Benzoquinones; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D014753:Vinyl Compounds; C004532:quinone