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

该奖项由材料研究部（DMR）的电子和光子材料项目（EPM）和化学部（CHE）的化学结构、动力学和机制项目（CSDM）共同资助。技术：该职业奖的研究部分调查了分子结中自组装单层和多层分子的电子特性的起源。本研究聚焦于两种电子性质，多态电导和整流，并解决了电导与分子系统振动模式之间的密切联系。这些研究可以解释分子电导对偏置电压和分子氧化还原态的依赖。该项目的研究目的是：(1)研究单分子结中卟啉单层电导依赖于偏压和氧化还原态的来源；(2)确定分子结中卟啉的振动模式与其电子特性之间的关系；(3)研究卟啉单层与分子多层中整流的来源。本项目介绍了系统设计的研究，以确定影响分子传输特性的实验参数（例如，分子膜厚度对电子行为的依赖以及分子结中振动能量的存在）。这些参数通过分子断裂结、导电原子力显微镜和电迁移制备的纳米间隙来测试。非技术：这个研究项目在分子水平上研究电子学。该项目支持两态器件和整流器分子的进步。更好地了解分子运输可以刺激医学（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。为了培养一支具有广泛包容性的科学和工程劳动力队伍，该项目促进对学生的科学培训，并扩大代表性不足群体的参与。这是通过一个名为NOLA moves的教育项目来实现的，这是一个夏季项目，旨在支持来自传统黑人学院和大学的学生参与伦斯勒的前沿研究。此外，伦斯勒科学学院还引入了一个项目，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.