Principles of a Single-Molecule Rectifier in Electrolytic Environment
File(s)Rectification-16.pdf (1.87 MB)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Cheung, KCM
Chen, X
Albrecht, T
Kornyshev, AA
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
The idea of gating the electrical current across a single-chain molecule, confined between and linking two electrodes in electrolytic solution, in order to achieve an asymmetric current–voltage plot, was first put forward and substantiated with a detailed theory by Kornyshev and Kuznetsov (ChemPhysChem, 2006), and Kornyshev, Kuznetsov, and Ulstrup (PNAS, 2006). However, not all aspects of that effect have been studied in those papers. Its experimental confirmation, published by Capozzi et al. (Nature Nanotech., 2015), enthused us to revisit that theory, extending it and exploring all the regimes of system operation. In this article we present such comprehensive analysis, which reveals a set of new features. An important finding is that the introduction of more refined models of the electric double layer (beyond linear response) results in stronger rectification effects, already for relatively dilute electrolyte concentrations. The theory equally applies to electrode systems with and without full electrochemical potential control and highlights important differences for these two scenarios, for example, with regard to the effect of electrode surface area.
Date Issued
2016-01-04
Date Acceptance
2016-01-01
Citation
Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 2016, 120 (6), pp.3089-3106
ISSN
1932-7455
Publisher
American Chemical Society
Start Page
3089
End Page
3106
Journal / Book Title
Journal of Physical Chemistry C
Volume
120
Issue
6
Copyright Statement
This document is the Accepted Manuscript version of a Published Work that appeared in final form in Journal of Physical Chemistry C, © 2016 American Chemical Society after peer review and technical editing by the publisher. To access the final edited and published work see http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpcc.5b10320.
Subjects
Science & Technology
Physical Sciences
Technology
Chemistry, Physical
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Chemistry
Science & Technology - Other Topics
Materials Science
SCANNING-TUNNELING-MICROSCOPY
TRANSPORT JUNCTIONS
2 ELECTRODES
RECTIFICATION
CONDUCTANCE
CONDUCTIVITY
RELAXATION
MECHANISMS
MONOLAYERS
PATHWAYS
Physical Chemistry
09 Engineering
03 Chemical Sciences
10 Technology
Publication Status
Published