Local cation-tuned reversible single-molecule switch in electric double layer

Autor: Ling Tong, Zhou Yu, Yi-Jing Gao, Xiao-Chong Li, Ju-Fang Zheng, Yong Shao, Ya-Hao Wang, Xiao-Shun Zhou
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2023
Předmět:
Zdroj: Nature Communications, Vol 14, Iss 1, Pp 1-10 (2023)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 2041-1723
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39206-w
Popis: Abstract The nature of molecule-electrode interface is critical for the integration of atomically precise molecules as functional components into circuits. Herein, we demonstrate that the electric field localized metal cations in outer Helmholtz plane can modulate interfacial Au-carboxyl contacts, realizing a reversible single-molecule switch. STM break junction and I-V measurements show the electrochemical gating of aliphatic and aromatic carboxylic acids have a conductance ON/OFF behavior in electrolyte solution containing metal cations (i.e., Na+, K+, Mg2+ and Ca2+), compared to almost no change in conductance without metal cations. In situ Raman spectra reveal strong molecular carboxyl-metal cation coordination at the negatively charged electrode surface, hindering the formation of molecular junctions for electron tunnelling. This work validates the critical role of localized cations in the electric double layer to regulate electron transport at the single-molecule level.
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