Enhancing the molecular signature in molecule-nanoparticle networks via inelastic cotunneling.

Dayen, Jean-Francois; Devid, Edwin; Kamalakar, Mutta Venkata; Golubev, Dmitry; Guédon, Constant; Faramarzi, Vina; Doudin, Bernard; van der Molen, Sense Jan · Adv Mater · 2013

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Charge transport in networks of nanoparticles linked by molecular spacers is investigated. Remarkably, in the regime where cotunneling dominates, the molecular signature of a device is strongly enhanced. We demonstrate that the resistance ratio of identical networks with different molecular spacers increases dramatically, from an initial value of 50 up to 10(5) , upon entering the cotunneling regime. Our work shows that intrinsic molecular properties can be amplified through nanoscale engineering.