Nonlinear Electrical Properties of Ru Complex Using Au-Nanoparticle Bridge Junction

Abstract

Electric conduction through Ru-complex self-assembled monolayer (SAM) was investigated by Au-nanoparticle (AuNP) bridge junction. Nonlinear current-voltage (I-V) characteristics exhibiting sharp threshold and steep rise with no zero-bias conductance was achieved by weak coupling between electrode and molecules. The observed I-V characteristics were well fitted by resonant tunneling model via HOMO level in wide range of temperature. The analysis by this curve fitting reveals that the work function of Au-nanoparticles was 0.32 eV larger than Au electrode and the thickness of SAM layer of tunneling barrier decrease as increasing temperature.