Magnetoresistive Single-Molecule Junctions: the Role of the Spinterface and the CISS Effect

Abstract

This review is an effort in putting together the latest results about room-temperature magnetoresistive (MR) effects in nanoscale/single-molecule electronic devices consisting of one (few) molecule(s) placed in electrical contact between two nanoscale electrodes. The capability to control at room temperature and under bespoke electrodes' magnetization the MR response of a single-molecule (SM) device has been a longstanding quest. The work carried out so far in this field has identified two key components directly involved in the MR response of a single(few)-molecule(s) device: (i) The molecule|electrode spinterface, defining the interplay between interfacial electrostatics and spin density. (ii) Two aspects of the molecular structure involved in the spin-dependent conduction mechanism: (1) the presence of paramagnetic metal centres in the molecular structure and (2), the degree of chirality within the molecular wire.