Electronics based on individual molecules hold great promise for future “beyond CMOS” technologies and hybrid integrated circuits. Molecules bridging two metallic electrodes typically form the basic structure of molecular electronic devices. Here we extend this concept to study electronic transport in self-assembled nanoscale networks consisting of multiple metal-molecule interconnections. A solution-based approach was used to synthesize extended structures of colloidal gold particles bridged by short dithiolated molecules. Results of electronic transport measurements on as-synthesized colloidal network aggregates and films deposited on surfaces will be presented, in addition to characterization of the networks via scanning probe methods. Modeling of electronic transport through the interconnected molecular network structures and potential applications will also be discussed. Our results provide an inexpensive and straightforward route to engineer electronics at the molecular level by using superstructures consisting of different molecules and metallic particles.

Electronic transport in self-assembled gold nanoparticle-molecular networks

251st National Meeting (2016)

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