Mechanically controlled binary conductance switching of a single-molecule junction

Nat Nanotechnol. 2009 Apr;4(4):230-4. doi: 10.1038/nnano.2009.10. Epub 2009 Mar 1.

Abstract

Molecular-scale components are expected to be central to the realization of nanoscale electronic devices. Although molecular-scale switching has been reported in atomic quantum point contacts, single-molecule junctions provide the additional flexibility of tuning the on/off conductance states through molecular design. To date, switching in single-molecule junctions has been attributed to changes in the conformation or charge state of the molecule. Here, we demonstrate reversible binary switching in a single-molecule junction by mechanical control of the metal-molecule contact geometry. We show that 4,4'-bipyridine-gold single-molecule junctions can be reversibly switched between two conductance states through repeated junction elongation and compression. Using first-principles calculations, we attribute the different measured conductance states to distinct contact geometries at the flexible but stable nitrogen-gold bond: conductance is low when the N-Au bond is perpendicular to the conducting pi-system, and high otherwise. This switching mechanism, inherent to the pyridine-gold link, could form the basis of a new class of mechanically activated single-molecule switches.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Computer Simulation
  • Electric Conductivity
  • Electrochemistry / methods*
  • Gold / chemistry*
  • Microelectrodes*
  • Models, Chemical*
  • Nanotechnology / methods*
  • Semiconductors*
  • Stress, Mechanical
  • Transducers*

Substances

  • Gold