Abstract
Single molecular junctions of benzene dihalide molecules (para-X–(C6H4)–X, X = Cl, Br, I) binding to Au electrodes were systematically studied by using the scanning tunneling microscopy break junction (STM-BJ) technique. The STM-BJ characterization revealed that the single molecular junction was formed only with 1,4-diiodobenzene, which was due to its ability to form particularly stable halogen bonds with Au electrodes for the iodide anchoring group. The conductance and strength of the metal–molecule bond of the single 1,4-diiodobenzene molecular junction were compared with that of 1,4-benzenediamine (para-H2N–(C6H4)–NH2). The conductance of a single 1,4-diiodobenzene molecular junction was 3.6 × 10–4 G0 (G0 = 2e2/h), which was smaller than 1 × 10–2 G0 measured for 1,4-benzenediamine. The distances to break single molecular junctions were 0.05 and 0.03 nm for single 1,4-diiodobenzene and 1,4-benzenediamine molecular junctions, respectively. The longer breakdown distance of the single 1,4-diiodobenzene molecular junctions indicated that the Au–I bond was stronger than that of the Au–NH2 bond. The present work demonstrates that an iodide group can be utilized as an anchoring group for the single molecular junction.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.