Long-range electron transport of ruthenium-centered multilayer films via a stepping-stone mechanism.
We studied electron transport of Ru complex multilayer films, whose structure resembles redox-active complex films known in the literature to have long-range electron transport abilities. Hydrogen bond formation in terms of pH control was used to induce spontaneous growth of a Ru complex multilayer. We made a cross-check between electrochemical measurements and I-V measurements using PEDOT:PSS to eliminate the risk of pinhole contributions to the mechanism and have found small β values of 0.012-0.021 Å(-1). Our Ru complex layers exhibit long-range electron transport but with low conductance. On the basis of the results of our theoretical-experimental collaboration, we propose a modified tunneling mechanism named the "stepping-stone mechanism", where the alignment of site potentials forms a narrow band around E(F), making resonant tunneling possible. Our observations may support Tuccito et al.'s proposed mechanism.
Nanosystem Research Institute (NRI), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 1-2-1 Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8564, Japan.
Kei-ichi
K
Terada
Hisao
H
Nakamura
Katsuhiko
K
Kanaizuka
Masa-aki
MA
Haga
Yoshihiro
Y
Asai
Takao
T
Ishida
D004563:Electrochemistry; D004579:Electron Transport; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D012428:Ruthenium / Q000737:chemistry*
D012428:Ruthenium