Supramolecular Systems and Chemical Reactions in Single-Molecule Break Junctions.
The major challenges of molecular electronics are the understanding and manipulation of the electron transport through the single-molecule junction. With the single-molecule break junction techniques, including scanning tunneling microscope break junction technique and mechanically controllable break junction technique, the charge transport through various single-molecule and supramolecular junctions has been studied during the dynamic fabrication and continuous characterization of molecular junctions. This review starts from the charge transport characterization of supramolecular junctions through a variety of noncovalent interactions, such as hydrogen bond, π-π interaction, and electrostatic force. We further review the recent progress in constructing highly conductive molecular junctions via chemical reactions, the response of molecular junctions to external stimuli, as well as the application of break junction techniques in controlling and monitoring chemical reactions in situ. We suggest that beyond the measurement of single molecular conductance, the single-molecule break junction techniques provide a promising access to study molecular assembly and chemical reactions at the single-molecule scale.
State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Pen-Tung Sah Institute of Micro-Nano Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China.
Xiaohui
X
Li
State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Pen-Tung Sah Institute of Micro-Nano Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China.
Duan
D
Hu
State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Pen-Tung Sah Institute of Micro-Nano Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China.
Zhibing
Z
Tan
State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Pen-Tung Sah Institute of Micro-Nano Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China.
Jie
J
Bai
State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Pen-Tung Sah Institute of Micro-Nano Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China.
Zongyuan
Z
Xiao
State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Pen-Tung Sah Institute of Micro-Nano Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China. yangyang@xmu.edu.cn.
Yang
Y
Yang
State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Pen-Tung Sah Institute of Micro-Nano Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China. jshi@xmu.edu.cn.
Jia
J
Shi
State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Pen-Tung Sah Institute of Micro-Nano Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China. whong@xmu.edu.cn.
Wenjing
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4080-6175
W
Hong
D004553:Electric Conductivity; D004579:Electron Transport; D004581:Electronics; D046911:Macromolecular Substances / Q000737:chemistry*; D055672:Static Electricity
D046911:Macromolecular Substances
Break junction; Chemical reaction; Molecular assembly; Supramolecular interaction