Abstract
Defects in self-assembled monolayer (SAMs) based junctions cause the largest deviation between predicted and measured values of the tunnelling current. We report the remarkable, seemingly counterintuitive finding that shorter, less-ordered SAMs provide, unlike taller crystalline-like SAMs, higher quality tunnelling barriers on defective substrates, which points to self-repair of liquid-like SAMs on defects. The molecular dynamics show that short-chain molecules can more easily rotate into low-density boundary regions and smoothen out defects than thick solid-like SAMs. Our findings point to an attractive means of removing their deleterious effects simply by using flexible molecules.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 6643-6649 |
Journal | Nano letters |
Volume | 15 |
Issue number | 10 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Oct 2015 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Molecular electronics
- EGaIn junctions
- self-assembled monolayers
- self-repair
- defects