Integrated molecular diode as 10 MHz half-wave rectifier based on an organic nanostructure heterojunction

Abstract

Considerable efforts have been made to realize nanoscale diodes based on single molecules or molecular ensembles for implementing the concept of molecular electronics. However, so far, functional molecular diodes have only been demonstrated in the very low alternating current frequency regime, which is partially due to their extremely low conductance and the poor degree of device integration. Here, we report about fully integrated rectifiers with microtubular soft-contacts, which are based on a molecularly thin organic heterojunction and are able to convert alternating current with a frequency of up to 10 MHz. The unidirectional current behavior of our devices originates mainly from the intrinsically different surfaces of the bottom planar and top microtubular Au electrodes while the excellent high frequency response benefits from the charge accumulation in the phthalocyanine molecular heterojunction, which not only improves the charge injection but also increases the carrier density.

Reorganization Energy upon Controlled Intermolecular Charge‐Transfer Reactions in Monolithically Integrated Nanodevices

“…The CuPc ultrathin-film polycrystalline arrangement is demonstrated by T. Li et al, using grazing incidence X-ray diffraction. [35] Figure 1a (right-hand panel) illustrates the polycrystalline configuration expected for CuPc nanometer-thick films. Notice that, in the vicinity of the Au surface, a significant portion of the CuPc crystalline domains is found at ≈25-30° with respect to the substrate, [50] whereas a small amount of molecules is arranged almost perpendicularly (≈65°).…”

“…[32,33] Such an approach avoids electrical shortcircuits usually caused by top-electrode evaporation, whereas the mechanically soft top-contact preserves the moleculesintegrity and function. [34][35][36] Additionally, nCap monolithic integration spares the use of either liquid metal electrodes or scanning probe tips, allowing reliable fabrication of real-life molecular devices that can be operated in different electromagnetic fields, temperatures, pressures, among other external conditions. [37][38][39] In the literature, one may find exciting examples of using the nanomembrane-origami technology to fabricate various monolithically-integrated devices featuring organic/ inorganic hybrid functions.…”

High‐Performance Ultrathin Molecular Rectifying Diodes Based on Organic/Inorganic Interface Engineering

“…traditional inorganic electronic components -or even replace them -comes from the possibility of creating systems that display a high degree of sophistication. [4][5][6] Flexible devices processed by low-temperature routes and reduced production costs are some to mention a few. [7] As organic materials and devices reach the nanoscale, organic/inorganic interfaces become a fundamental counterpart, being responsible for several functionalities.…”

Magnetic nanoribbons with embedded cobalt grown inside single-walled carbon nanotubes

“…Recent advances in the design, synthesis and characterization of molecular materials provide new perspectives in the fields of quantum technologies, information processing, 1 sustainable energy, 2 electronics, 3 and spintronics. 4 Phthalocyanine molecules have already been widely used in the field of molecular magnetism due to several aspects including tunable properties, high temperature and chemical stability, planar configuration, and self-assembly, all leading to convenient device integration.…”