Charge transport properties of Ru-complex molecules: the influence of humidity

Atesci, H. (2019)

Doctoral Thesis

In the research presented in this thesis, the effects of humidity on a series of Ru-complex molecular layers is investigated with the Conductive Atomic Force Microscopy technique. One specific molecule out of this series called '2-Ru-N' shows remarkable humidity sensitive diode behavior: in low humidity it behaves as a conventional resistive tunneling junction, wheras in high humidity, it behaves as a diode. The rectification ratios found for 2-Ru-N are among the highest reported for molecular junctions in the literature. By comparing the behavior of 2-Ru-N with its other counterparts, a model is presented that is based on two localized molecular orbitals that are misaligned during the addition of water. This is due to the water pulling on the counter-ions that are found in the molecular layer and hence, effectively gate one of the two localized molecular orbitals, resulting in a misalignment and thus, a diode-like behavior. 

• Molecular electronics
• Molecular diodes
• Ruthenium complexes
• Functional molecules

• All authors: Atesci, H.
• Supervisor: Molen, S.J. van der; Ruitenbeek, J.M. van
• Committee: Zandvliet, H.J.W.; Jongh, P.E. de; Orrit, M.A.G.J.; Eliel, E.R.
• Qualification: Doctor (dr.)
• Awarding Institution: Leiden Instituut Onderzoek Natuurkunde, Science, Leiden
• Date: 2019-12-03
• Title of host publication: Casimir PhD Series
• ISBN (print): 9789085934240
• Name: 2019-42