Synfacts 2006(4): 0333-0333  
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-932065
Synthesis of Materials and Unnatural Products
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Molecular Electronic Junctions with Nanotubes

Contributor(s): Timothy M. Swager
X. Guo, J. P. Small, J. E. Klare, Y. Wang, M. S. Purewal, I. W. Tam, B. H. Hong, R. Caldwell, L. Huang, S. O’Brien, J. Yan, R. Breslow, S. J. Wind, J. Hone, P. Kim, C. Nuckolls
Columbia University, New York City, USA
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
24 March 2006 (online)

Significance

Using electron beam lithographic techniques and oxidative cutting methods, well-defined gaps of 10 nm or less can be created in carbon nanotubes. The ends of the carbon nanotubes contain carboxylic acids that can be converted into amides with the unsaturated molecular bridging groups shown. The authors did a systematic study showing the matching of the molecular length (ranging from 2.1-6.0 nm) was necessary to obtain electrical currents through the devices. The redox-active oligoaniline proved useful to further demonstrate that the junction functioned as predicted with pH variations.