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Two‐Terminal Molecular Memory through Reversible Switching of Quantum Interference Features in Tunneling Junctions
Author(s) -
Carlotti Marco,
Soni Saurabh,
Kumar Sumit,
Ai Yong,
Sauter Eric,
Zharnikov Michael,
Chiechi Ryan C.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
angewandte chemie international edition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.831
H-Index - 550
eISSN - 1521-3773
pISSN - 1433-7851
DOI - 10.1002/anie.201807879
Subject(s) - conjugated system , molecular switch , quantum tunnelling , substrate (aquarium) , chemistry , monolayer , molecule , chemical physics , materials science , photochemistry , optoelectronics , nanotechnology , organic chemistry , oceanography , geology , polymer
Large‐area molecular tunneling junctions comprising self‐assembled monolayers of redox‐active molecules are described that exhibit two‐terminal bias switching. The as‐prepared monolayers undergo partial charge transfer to the underlying metal substrate (Au, Pt, or Ag), which converts their cores from a quinoid to a hydroquinoid form. The resulting rearomatization converts the bond topology from a cross‐conjugated to a linearly conjugated π system. The cross‐conjugated form correlates to the appearance of an interference feature in the transmission spectrum that vanishes for the linearly conjugated form. Owing to the presence of electron‐withdrawing nitrile groups, the reduction potential and the interference feature lie close to the work function and Fermi level of the metallic substrate. We exploited the relationship between conjugation patterns and quantum interference to create nonvolatile memory in proto‐devices using eutectic Ga–In as the top contact.