Single-molecule electrical contacts on silicon electrodes under ambient conditions

Albert C. Aragonès, Nadim Darwish (), Simone Ciampi, Fausto Sanz, J. Justin Gooding and Ismael Díez-Pérez ()
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Albert C. Aragonès: University of Barcelona
Nadim Darwish: Faculty of Science & Engineering, Curtin University, Nanochemistry Research Institute
Simone Ciampi: Faculty of Science & Engineering, Curtin University, Nanochemistry Research Institute
Fausto Sanz: University of Barcelona
J. Justin Gooding: School of Chemistry and Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, The University of New South Wales
Ismael Díez-Pérez: University of Barcelona

Nature Communications, 2017, vol. 8, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract The ultimate goal in molecular electronics is to use individual molecules as the active electronic component of a real-world sturdy device. For this concept to become reality, it will require the field of single-molecule electronics to shift towards the semiconducting platform of the current microelectronics industry. Here, we report silicon-based single-molecule contacts that are mechanically and electrically stable under ambient conditions. The single-molecule contacts are prepared on silicon electrodes using the scanning tunnelling microscopy break-junction approach using a top metallic probe. The molecular wires show remarkable current–voltage reproducibility, as compared to an open silicon/nano-gap/metal junction, with current rectification ratios exceeding 4,000 when a low-doped silicon is used. The extension of the single-molecule junction approach to a silicon substrate contributes to the next level of miniaturization of electronic components and it is anticipated it will pave the way to a new class of robust single-molecule circuits.

Date: 2017
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms15056

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