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Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/2445/121931
Single-molecule electrical contacts on silicon electrodes under ambient conditions
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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.
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ARAGONÈS, Albert C., et al. Single-molecule electrical contacts on silicon electrodes under ambient conditions. Nature Communications. 2017. Vol. 8, num. 15056. ISSN 2041-1723. [consulted: 12 of June of 2026]. Available at: https://hdl.handle.net/2445/121931