Mechanism of Enhanced Rectification in Unimolecular Borromean Ring Devices

TL;DR

This study investigates charge transport in Borromean Ring complexes, revealing that anchor groups enhance rectification in molecular devices by influencing device configuration and conduction pathways.

Contribution

It demonstrates how anchor groups in Borromean Rings promote rectification, providing a simple model for the mechanism behind enhanced device performance.

Findings

Anchor groups increase rectification in Borromean Ring devices.

Device configuration influenced by anchor groups affects conduction.

Simple model explains rectification mechanism.

Abstract

We have studied charge transport through individual Borromean Ring complexes, both with and without anchor groups, in gated double barrier tunneling junctions (DBTJs) formed using the electrical breakjunction technique on gold nanowires. While common single molecule device characteristics can be observed with either form of the Borromean Rings, the complexes with anchor groups show strong rectification of conduction in a relatively high percentage of samples. We present our data along with a simple model underlining the mechanism by which the arrangement and composition of the weakly bonding anchor groups attached to the electroactive element may promote a device configuration resulting in rectification.