CAREER: From Self-Assembled Monolayers to Molecular Multilayers: The Electronic Properties of Molecular Junctions

这项职业奖由材料研究部(DMR)的电子和光子材料计划(EPM)和化学部(CHE)的化学结构、动力学和机制计划(CSDM)联合资助。技术：这项职业奖的研究部分研究分子结中自组装的单分子层和多层分子的电子性质的起源。本文主要研究了多态电导和整流两种电子性质，并讨论了电导与分子体系振动模之间的密切联系。这些研究可以解释分子电导与偏置电压和分子氧化还原态的关系。本项目的研究目的是：(1)研究单分子结中卟啉单层的电导与偏置电压和氧化还原态的关系；(2)确定分子结中卟啉的振动模式与其电子性质之间的关系；(3)研究卟啉单层相对于分子多层膜中整流的起源。该项目介绍了系统地设计用于确定影响分子传输特性的实验参数的研究(例如，分子膜厚度与电子行为的关系以及分子结中振动能量的存在)。使用分子断裂结、导电原子力显微镜和电迁移制备的纳米GaP来测试这些参数。非技术：这项研究项目是在分子水平上的电子学。该项目支持用于两态器件和整流器的分子的进步。更好地了解分子传输可以促进医学(例如药物输送技术)和化学传感器(例如有毒气体的检测)的研究。为了培养一支广泛包容的科学和工程劳动力队伍，该项目促进了对学生的科学培训，并扩大了代表性不足群体的参与。这是通过一项名为NOLA MOVERS的教育计划实现的，该计划是一个暑期计划，旨在支持来自历史悠久的黑人学院和大学的学生参与伦斯勒的尖端研究。此外，伦斯勒科学学院还引入了一项计划，以留住和动员未申报的学生。

This CAREER award is jointly funded by the Electronic and Photonic Materials Program (EPM) in the Division of Materials Research (DMR) and the Chemical Structure, Dynamics and Mechanisms Program (CSDM) in the Division of Chemistry (CHE).Technical: The research component of this CAREER award investigates the origin of electronic properties of self-assembled monolayers and multilayers of molecules in molecular junctions. This investigation focuses on two electronic properties, multi-state conductance and rectification, and addresses the intimate connection between conductance and the vibration modes of molecular systems. These studies can provide an explanation for the dependence of molecular conductance on bias voltage and the redox states of molecules. The research aims of the project are to: (1) investigate the origin of conductance dependence on bias voltage and redox states of porphyrin monolayers in single molecule junctions, (2) identify the relationships between the vibration modes of porphyrins and its electronic properties in molecular junctions, and (3) investigate the origin of rectification in a porphyrin monolayer versus molecular multilayers. This project introduces studies that are systematically designed to identify experimental parameters that influence molecular transport properties (e.g., the dependence of thickness of molecular films on electronic behavior and the existence of vibration energies in molecular junctions). These parameters are tested using molecular break junctions, conductive atomic force microscopy, and nanogaps fabricated by electromigration.Non-technical: This research project in on electronics at the molecular level. The project supports the advancement of molecules for two-state devices and rectifiers. A better understanding of molecular transport can stimulate research in medicine (e.g., drug delivery techniques) and chemical sensors (e.g., detection of toxic gases). To cultivate a broadly inclusive science and engineering workforce, the project promotes scientific training of students and broadens the participation of underrepresented groups. This is accomplished through an educational program called NOLA MOVERS, which is a summer program to support students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities to participate in cutting edge research at Rensselaer. In addition, a program is introduced to Rensselaer's School of Science to retain and mobilize undeclared students.