We systematically studied the charge transport properties
of a
series of self-assembled monolayer crossbar junctions with different
alkanethiol and conjugated molecules, respectively. The junction was
fabricated using a soft stamp-printing method. Current–voltage
characteristics were measured at varied temperatures between 300 down
to 90 K under different light illumination conditions. Strong temperature
dependence and optoelectronic switching phenomena were observed in
the as-fabricated junctions in both dark and light situations. To
understand the charge transport mechanism, the Simmons and Fowler–Nordheim
tunneling were used to analyze the experimental data. The distinctly
different adsorbing nature of the top printed Au/molecule interface
in the crossbar junctions is shown to play a dominant role in causing
the asymmetric transport behavior. The charge injection barrier is
strongly dependent on both the substrate temperature and the molecular
length/conjugation structures. The barrier decreases with the increase
of the substrate temperature and/or the molecular length, while a
conjugated molecular structure can obviously enhance the junction
charge transport. Our work may offer some useful information for developing
molecular electronic devices.
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