Effects of molecular environments on the electrical switching with memory of nitro-containing OPEs

N. Gergel-Hackett, N. Majumdar, Z. Martin, N. Swami, L. R. Harriott, J. C. Bean, G. Pattanaik, G Zangari, Y. Zhu, I. Pu, Y. Yao, J. M. Tour
2006 Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology. A. Vacuum, Surfaces, and Films  
An oligo͑phenylene ethynylene͒ ͑OPE͒ molecule with a nitro side group has exhibited electrical switching with memory and thus has potential for use in molecular electronic devices. However, different research groups have reported different electrical behaviors for this molecule. In addition to variations among test structures, differences in local molecular environments could be partially responsible for the differences in the reported results. Thus, we tested four variations of a nitro-OPE/
more » ... ecanethiol monolayer in the same type of nanowell test device to study how the environment of the nitro-OPE affects the observed electrical behavior. We found that the density of the nitro-containing molecules in the device altered the observed electrical switching behavior. Further, we found a positive correlation between the disorder of the monolayer and the observed electrical switching behavior. This correlation is consistent with suggestions that nitro molecule switching may depend on a conformational change of the molecule, which may be possible only in a disordered monolayer. Public reporting burden for the collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports, 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington VA 22202-4302. Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall be subject to a penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if it does not display a currently valid OMB control number.
doi:10.1116/1.2208994 fatcat:36f4yikmpbeo7bjq5jhqcqdkta