Electronic characteristics of Au-mercaptohexadecanoic acid-Au junction in a capillary

J Nanosci Nanotechnol. 2004 Nov;4(8):1081-4. doi: 10.1166/jnn.2004.143.

Abstract

The electrical property of a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of mercaptohexadecanoic acid (HS-C15H30-COOH) has been investigated with a tunneling junction confined in a capillary. This capillary method can shun the interference of vacuum gap. The contact area can be determined according to the diameter of capillary. The nonlinear current-voltage curve and dl/dV curve are measured in the potential range of +/-0.8 V. The slight asymmetry of I-V curve and dl/dV curve is attributed to the different coupling between the metal and the end-groups of molecule. This method will supply a simple way to measure the property of single molecules and monolayers.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Capillary Action
  • Crystallization / methods*
  • Electric Conductivity
  • Electrochemistry / methods*
  • Electrodes*
  • Electronics
  • Gold / chemistry*
  • Materials Testing
  • Nanostructures / analysis
  • Nanostructures / chemistry*
  • Nanostructures / ultrastructure
  • Nanotechnology / instrumentation
  • Nanotechnology / methods*
  • Palmitic Acids / chemistry*
  • Particle Size
  • Semiconductors*
  • Surface Properties

Substances

  • 16-mercaptohexadecanoic acid
  • Palmitic Acids
  • Gold