C-Au Covalently Bonded Molecular Junctions Using Nonprotected Alkynyl Anchoring Groups.
We report on an approach to realize carbon-gold (C-Au) bonded molecular junctions without the need for an additive to deprotect the alkynyl carbon as endstanding anchor group. Using the mechanically controlled break junction (MCBJ) technique, we determine the most probable conductance value of a family of alkynyl terminated oligophenylenes (OPA(n)) connected to gold electrodes through such an akynyl moiety in ambient conditions. The molecules bind to the gold leads through an sp-hybridized carbon atom at each side. Comparing our results with other families of molecules that present organometallic C-Au bonds, we conclude that the conductance of molecules contacted via an sp-hybridized carbon atom is lower than the ones using sp(3) hybridization due to strong differences in the coupling of the conducting orbitals with the gold leads.
Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology , Lorentzweg 1, Delft 2628 CJ, The Netherlands.
Ignacio José
IJ
Olavarria-Contreras
Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology , Lorentzweg 1, Delft 2628 CJ, The Netherlands.
Mickael L
ML
Perrin
Institute of Nanotechnology (INT), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) , 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany.
Zhi
Z
Chen
Institute of Nanotechnology (INT), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) , 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany.
Svetlana
S
Klyatskaya
Institute of Nanotechnology (INT), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) , 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany.|IPCMS-CNRS, Université de Strasbourg , 23 rue de Loess, 67034 Strasbourg, France.
Mario
M
Ruben
Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology , Lorentzweg 1, Delft 2628 CJ, The Netherlands.
Herre S J
HS
van der Zant