The fusion of metals and organics has long been known to produce dramatic electronic effects. In molecular electronics and nanoscale electronics, effects such as valence tautomerism and spin crossover that come from these inorganic-organic “hybrid” systems are diverse and have strong promise for a broad array of applications. However, designing and studying electronic devices is a challenge at the nano- to single-molecule scale, and while complex inorganic compounds can yield promising properties, tuning these results can be a synthetic challenge, and a further challenge exists in utilizing these compounds in electronic device settings. In this talk, we will detail work toward fabricating nanoparticle arrays and studying their current and spin transport. This fundamental test-bed is designed to usurp the synthetic difficulties of inorganic compounds, allowing for both nanoparticle and ligand to be altered in situ, thereby providing the opportunity to tune desired output as well as modify device properties in device configuration. First, we will detail the patterning and fabrication processes used to generate the nanoparticle devices. Careful utilization of lithography and self-assembly processes allow for nanoparticles to be patterned between predefined metal electrodes in a device. Then, we will show how changing the nanoparticle ligand overall impacts the transport properties of devices in situ. Simple modifications from switching insulating ligands, such as oleic acid, to more conjugated molecules are able to alter resistances of devices as well as observed spin properties, and further opens possibilities for studying more complex molecules. Overall, we will show how this platform allows for basic studies in charge and spin transport across nanoparticle matrices leading toward more advanced phenomena for potential application.

Inorganic-organic hybrid electrical devices based on nanoparticle arrays for switchable current and spin transport

253rd National Meeting (2017)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.