Final published version
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Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Sheathed Molecular Junctions for Unambiguous Determination of Charge‐Transport Properties
AU - Herrer, Lucia
AU - Naghibi, Saman
AU - Marín, Ivan
AU - Ward, Jonathan S.
AU - Bonastre, Jose María
AU - Higgins, S. J.
AU - Martín, Santiago
AU - Vezzoli, Andrea
AU - Nichols, Richard John
AU - Serrano, José Luis
AU - Cea, Pilar
PY - 2023/6/6
Y1 - 2023/6/6
N2 - Future applications of single-molecular and large-surface area molecular devices require a thorough understanding and control of molecular junctions, interfacial phenomena, and intermolecular interactions. In this contribution the concept of single-molecule junction and host-guest complexation to sheath a benchmark molecular wire–namely 4,4′-(1,4-phenylenebis(ethyne-2,1-diyl))dianiline – with an insulating cage, pillar[5]arene 1,4-diethoxy-2-ethyl-5-methylbenzene is presented. The insertion of one guest molecular wire into one host pillar[5]arene is probed by 1H-NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance), whilst the self-assembly capabilities of the amine-terminated molecular wire remain intact after complexation as demonstrated by XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) and AFM (atomic force microscopy). Encapsulation of the molecular wire prevents the formation of π- π stacked dimers and permits the determination of the true single molecule conductance with increased accuracy and confidence, as demonstrated here by using the STM–BJ technique (scanning tunneling microscopy– break junction). This strategy opens new avenues in the control of single-molecule properties and demonstrates the pillararenes capabilities for the future construction of arrays of encapsulated single-molecule functional units in large-surface area devices.
AB - Future applications of single-molecular and large-surface area molecular devices require a thorough understanding and control of molecular junctions, interfacial phenomena, and intermolecular interactions. In this contribution the concept of single-molecule junction and host-guest complexation to sheath a benchmark molecular wire–namely 4,4′-(1,4-phenylenebis(ethyne-2,1-diyl))dianiline – with an insulating cage, pillar[5]arene 1,4-diethoxy-2-ethyl-5-methylbenzene is presented. The insertion of one guest molecular wire into one host pillar[5]arene is probed by 1H-NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance), whilst the self-assembly capabilities of the amine-terminated molecular wire remain intact after complexation as demonstrated by XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) and AFM (atomic force microscopy). Encapsulation of the molecular wire prevents the formation of π- π stacked dimers and permits the determination of the true single molecule conductance with increased accuracy and confidence, as demonstrated here by using the STM–BJ technique (scanning tunneling microscopy– break junction). This strategy opens new avenues in the control of single-molecule properties and demonstrates the pillararenes capabilities for the future construction of arrays of encapsulated single-molecule functional units in large-surface area devices.
KW - host-guest complexes
KW - molecular wire
KW - scanning tunneling microscopy-break junction method
KW - single molecule conductance
U2 - 10.1002/admi.202300133
DO - 10.1002/admi.202300133
M3 - Journal article
VL - 10
JO - Advanced Materials Interfaces
JF - Advanced Materials Interfaces
SN - 2196-7350
IS - 16
M1 - 2300133
ER -