Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
David Jago, Chongguang Liu, Abdalghani H. S. Daaoub, Emma Gaschk, Mark C. Walkey, Thea Pulbrook, Xiaohang Qiao, Alexandre N. Sobolev, Stephen A. Moggach, David Costa-Milan, Simon J. Higgins, Matthew J. Piggott, Hatef Sadeghi, Richard J. Nichols, Sara Sangtarash, Andrea Vezzoli, George A. Koutsantonis
Summary: The design of molecular switches is crucial for the development of molecular electronics. This study describes the use of spiropyrans in single-molecule devices and introduces an orthogonal T-shaped approach for incorporating spiropyran moieties, which leads to higher conducting states. Photochemical isomerization to merocyanine increases the conductance of the molecules.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mingzhu Huang, Lei Yu, Mingyang Zhang, Zhe Wang, Bohuai Xiao, Yichong Liu, Jin He, Shuai Chang
Summary: This study demonstrates that using a flexible gold-coated nanopipette electrode can enhance the stability of single-molecule junctions and proposes an empirical model for extending the junction lifetime with the flexible electrode. Additionally, it is shown for the first time that the internal conduit of the flexible STM tip can be utilized for controlled molecule delivery and molecular junction formation.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
C. S. Quintans, Denis Andrienko, Katrin F. Domke, Daniel Aravena, Sangho Koo, Ismael Diez-Perez, Albert C. Aragones
Summary: External electric fields have been shown to catalyse chemical reactions efficiently, even those inaccessible via wet-chemical synthesis. Single-molecule junctions of carotenoids have been electrically characterized to show distinct conductance signatures for the trans and cis isomers. The electric field is found to polarize the molecule, mix excited states, and promote both isomerization and electron transport within the molecule.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mashari Alangari, Busra Demir, Caglanaz Akin Gultakti, Ersin Emre Oren, Joshua Hihath
Summary: DNA has unique electronic properties that are sensitive to its sequence and structure, making it an attractive material for electronic DNA biosensors. This study investigates the origin of multiple conductance peaks in single-molecule break-junction measurements on DNA and demonstrates that these peaks come from different DNA conformations, such as double-stranded B-form DNA and G-quadruplex structures. By using various techniques and controls, the study shows that specific conductance values correspond to specific DNA conformations and that the occurrence of these conductance peaks can be controlled by the local environment.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Atsushi Yashiro, Yuya Tanaka, Tomofumi Tada, Shintaro Fujii, Tomoaki Nishino, Munetaka Akita
Summary: This work presents the design, synthesis, and single-molecule conductance of ethynyl- and butadiynyl-ruthenium molecular wires with thioether anchor groups. The study shows that the conductance of thioacetylene backbones is higher than that of arylethynylruthenium linkages with sulfur anchor groups. Moreover, the butadiynyl wire displays conductance comparable to covalently linked polyynyl wire of similar length. DFT study supports the highly conducting nature of thioacetylene molecular wires through HOMO orbitals.
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Haipeng B. Li, Yan-Feng Xi, Ze-Wen Hong, Jingxian Yu, Xiao-Xia Li, Wen-Xia Liu, Lucas Domulevicz, Shan Jin, Xiao-Shun Zhou, Joshua Hihath
Summary: By studying a series of rigid, planar furan oligomers, we found that tunneling transport can change with temperature. Analyzing the correlation between molecular orbital energy offset and the Fermi level, we conclude that thermally assisted tunneling is the main cause for the temperature-dependent conductance in these systems.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Filip Kilibarda, Alexander Strobel, Torsten Sendler, Matthias Wieser, Michael Mortensen, Julie Brender Trads, Manfred Helm, Jochen Kerbusch, Elke Scheer, Sibylle Gemming, Kurt Gothelf, Artur Erbe
Summary: This study presents a comprehensive investigation of charge transport in a class of molecules that allows modifications by introducing metal centers into organic structures. It is found that the presence of single metal ions can modify the energy levels and the coupling of the molecules to the electrical contacts, leading to systematic variations in the statistical behavior of transport properties of the molecular junctions. The understanding of the role of the metal ion in the resulting conductance properties is crucial for the development of molecular electronic circuits.
ADVANCED ELECTRONIC MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ya-Hao Wang, Feng Yan, Dong-Fang Li, Yan-Feng Xi, Rui Cao, Ju-Fang Zheng, Yong Shao, Shan Jin, Jing-Zhe Chen, Xiao-Shun Zhou
Summary: This study presents a new strategy to improve the electrochemical gating efficiency of single-molecule conductance, achieving a significant gating ratio through fused molecular structures. The research demonstrates that electrochemical gating performance can be significantly modulated by adjusting the alignment of the conducting orbital of the heterocyclic molecule relative to the metal Fermi energy.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ling Tong, Zhou Yu, Yi-Jing Gao, Xiao-Chong Li, Ju-Fang Zheng, Yong Shao, Ya-Hao Wang, Xiao-Shun Zhou
Summary: This study demonstrates that the electric field localized metal cations in outer Helmholtz plane can regulate interfacial Au-carboxyl contacts, achieving a reversible single-molecule switch. STM break junction and I-V measurements show that the conductance of aliphatic and aromatic carboxylic acids can be toggled on/off through electrochemical gating in the presence of metal cations (e.g. Na+, K+, Mg2+, and Ca2+). In situ Raman spectra reveal strong carboxyl-metal cation coordination at the negatively charged electrode surface, which hinders the formation of molecular junctions for electron tunnelling. This work highlights the crucial role of localized cations in the electric double layer in regulating single-molecule electron transport.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mong-Wen Gu, Chun-hsien Chen
Summary: The contact between molecules and electrodes is crucial for electron transport in molecule-based devices. The electrode-molecule-electrode configuration is used as a testbed to quantitatively study the underlying physical chemistry. This review focuses on examples of electrode materials and introduces basic concepts and experimental techniques.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jiho Ryu, Yuki Komoto, Takahito Ohshiro, Masateru Taniguchi
Summary: In this study, a technique for identifying molecules based on single-molecule measurement data in mixed sample solutions is proposed. Unlike conventional methods, this technique does not require training classifiers on measurement data from individual samples. It has the potential to increase the adoption of single-molecule measurements as an analytical technique, especially for the analysis of biological samples.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Songsong Li, Hao Yu, Jialing Li, Nicholas Angello, Edward R. Jira, Bo Li, Martin D. Burke, Jeffrey S. Moore, Charles M. Schroeder
Summary: This study demonstrates that molecular junctions undergo a reversible transition from nonresonant tunneling to resonant transport as a function of applied bias, which is related to the molecular frontier orbital energies and electrode Fermi levels. Through transient bias-switching experiments, the reversible nature of this transition is revealed.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kai Qu, Ping Duan, Jin-Yun Wang, Bochao Zhang, Qian-Chong Zhang, Wenjing Hong, Zhong-Ning Chen
Summary: This study successfully identified the internal rotation of three crank-shaped molecules using scanning tunneling microscope break junction technique and theoretical simulation. Theoretical computational study demonstrated that the orbital energy changes with the conformational flipping, affecting the single-molecule conductance.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Jeffrey A. Ivie, Nathan D. Bamberger, Keshaba N. Parida, Stuart Shepard, Dylan Dyer, Aldilene Saraiva-Souza, Roland Himmelhuber, Dominic McGrath, Manuel Smeu, Oliver L. A. Monti
Summary: This study investigates the relationship between chemical substituents and the conductance of metal-single-molecule-metal junctions, revealing complex effects on energy-level alignment in the junction. The proposed design principles are capable of predicting conductance trends and aid in suggesting novel strategies for maximizing conductance tunability in single-molecule systems.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yong Hu, Jin Li, Yu Zhou, Jie Shi, Guopeng Li, Hang Song, Yang Yang, Jia Shi, Wenjing Hong
Summary: In this study, responsive molecular devices with acid-base and photo-thermal responses were fabricated using a single dynamic acyl hydrazone bond. The devices exhibited three well-defined molecular conductance states, with reversible switching and distinct ON/OFF ratios. Density functional theory calculations revealed that the multiple conductance states were due to the dynamic acyl hydrazone bond exchange and C=N isomerization. This work opens up new possibilities for designing tailored single-molecule electrical devices.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Ziwei Wang, Lijuan Li, Weijin Wang, Runlin Wang, Guangzhe Li, Hang Bian, Dongxia Zhu, Martin R. R. Bryce
Summary: In this study, cyclometalated Ir(iii) complexes were designed and synthesized, and were successfully assembled into nanoparticles. These nanoparticles exhibit long wavelength absorption and near-infrared emission, overcoming the limitation of strong absorption in the UV-vis region. Moreover, the nanoparticles show good biocompatibility, high O-1(2) generation ability, potent cytotoxicity towards cancer cells, and superior cellular uptake. This work expands the potential applications of transition metal complex photosensitizers in clinical settings.
DALTON TRANSACTIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Reinier Lemos, Kamil Makowski, Luis Almagro, Blanca Tolon, Hortensia Rodriguez, M. Angeles Herranz, Dolores Molero, Nazario Martin, Margarita Suarez
Summary: Cyclopropanation reactions between C-60 and different malonates decorated with monosaccharides and steroids using the Bingel-Hirsch methodology have resulted in the synthesis of a new family of hybrid compounds. The chemical structures of these compounds were determined using instrumental techniques and cyclic voltammetry revealed their unique reductive pattern. Theoretical calculations and molecular docking simulations provided insights into their stability, geometry, and potential applications in biomedicine.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sergio Ramirez-Barroso, Fernando Romeo-Gella, Jesus M. Fernandez-Garcia, Siyang Feng, Lara Martinez-Fernandez, David Garcia-Fresnadillo, Ines Corral, Nazario Martin, Reinhold Wannemacher
Summary: The photophysical properties of three curved nanographenes (CNG 6, 7, and 8) are investigated using time-resolved and temperature-dependent photoluminescence spectroscopy. Dual fluorescence and phosphorescence are observed in CNG 7 and 8 at low temperatures. Thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) is observed in a narrow temperature range, and non-Kasha behavior is observed due to the optimization of higher-lying S-2 minimum. The presence of higher-lying dark triplet states provides mechanistic evidence for the observed TADF phenomena.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Iain A. A. Wright, Marc K. K. Etherington, Andrei S. S. Batsanov, Andrew P. P. Monkman, Martin R. R. Bryce
Summary: Heterocyclic dimers composed of butterfly-shaped phenothiazine and its oxidized form have been synthesized and studied. The presence of certain substituents induces a twist in the dimers. Various analytical techniques, including X-ray crystallography and optical spectroscopy, have been used to understand the relationship between oxidation state, conformational restriction, and emission mechanisms. The mixed dimer exhibits both thermally activated delayed fluorescence and room temperature phosphorescence.
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Daniel Moreno, Jose Santos, Sofia O. Parreiras, Cristina Martin-fuentes, Koen Lauwaet, Jose I. Urgel, Rodolfo Miranda, Nazario Martin, Jose M. Gallego, David Ecija
Summary: The control of hierarchical growth is crucial for the formation of two-dimensional supramolecular porous networks on gold surfaces, especially for lanthanide-based architectures.
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Simon A. Svatek, Valentina Sacchetti, Laura Rodriguez-Perez, Beatriz M. Illescas, Laura Rincon-Garcia, Gabino Rubio-Bollinger, M. Teresa Gonzalez, Steven Bailey, Colin J. Lambert, Nazario Martin, Nicolas Agrait
Summary: The thermoelectric properties of molecular junctions consisting of [60]fullerene derivatives covalently bound to a graphene electrode were studied using a conducting-probe atomic force microscope (c-AFM). The [60]fullerene derivatives were linked to the graphene electrode through different phenyl ring configurations. The results showed that the magnitude of the Seebeck coefficient was up to nine times larger than that of Au-C60-Pt molecular junctions, and the thermopower sign depended on the binding geometry and Fermi energy.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Liping Zhang, Ya-chao Wang, Yuqi Liao, Qian Zhang, Xia Liu, Dongxia Zhu, Haixing Feng, Martin R. Bryce, Lijie Ren
Summary: This study presents a novel approach for the treatment of ischemic stroke using BDP-4/Cur-CL nanoparticles. These nanoparticles can release visible light signals for real-time monitoring of the progression of ischemia reperfusion brain injury, while also releasing curcumin for safe treatment. The experimental results demonstrate excellent anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects of this method, effectively improving the cognitive abilities of stroke mice.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Haoran Wang, Qiyao Li, Parvej Alam, Haotian Bai, Vandana Bhalla, Martin R. Bryce, Mingyue Cao, Chao Chen, Sijie Chen, Xirui Chen, Yuncong Chen, Zhijun Chen, Dongfeng Dang, Dan Ding, Siyang Ding, Yanhong Duo, Meng Gao, Wei He, Xuewen He, Xuechuan Hong, Yuning Hong, Jing-Jing Hu, Rong Hu, Xiaolin Huang, Tony D. James, Xingyu Jiang, Gen-ichi Konishi, Ryan T. K. Kwok, Jacky W. Y. Lam, Chunbin Li, Haidong Li, Kai Li, Nan Li, Wei-Jian Li, Ying Li, Xing-Jie Liang, Yongye Liang, Bin Liu, Guozhen Liu, Xingang Liu, Xiaoding Lou, Xin-Yue Lou, Liang Luo, Paul R. McGonigal, Zong-Wan Mao, Guangle Niu, Tze Cin Owyong, Andrea Pucci, Jun Qian, Anjun Qin, Zijie Qiu, Andrey L. Rogach, Bo Situ, Kazuo Tanaka, Youhong Tang, Bingnan Wang, Dong Wang, Jianguo Wang, Wei Wang, Wen-Xiong Wang, Wen-Jin Wang, Xinyuan Wang, Yi-Feng Wang, Shuizhu Wu, Yifan Wu, Yonghua Xiong, Ruohan Xu, Chenxu Yan, Saisai Yan, Hai-Bo Yang, Lin-Lin Yang, Mingwang Yang, Ying-Wei Yang, Juyoung Yoon, Shuang-Quan Zang, Jiangjiang Zhang, Pengfei Zhang, Tianfu Zhang, Xin Zhang, Xin Zhang, Na Zhao, Zheng Zhao, Jie Zheng, Lei Zheng, Zheng Zheng, Ming-Qiang Zhu, Wei-Hong Zhu, Hang Zou, Ben Zhong Tang
Summary: This review provides a comprehensive summary of the applications of aggregation-induced emission (AIE) luminogens in biological imaging, dynamic physiological processes, disease diagnosis and treatment, and specific analyte detection and monitoring. The review also discusses critical issues and future directions, aiming to promote the development of AIE in the fields of life and health.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Arturo Oro, Fernando Romeo-Gella, Josefina Perles, Jesus M. Fernandez-Garcia, Ines Corral, Nazario Martin
Summary: The bottom-up synthesis of 3D tetrahedraphene, a molecular nanographene, is reported. The molecule exhibits a highly symmetric arrangement and shows aggregation induced fluorescence change in solution and precipitated solid.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Ahmed M'hamedi, Andrei S. Batsanov, Mark A. Fox, Juan A. Aguilar, Martin R. Bryce
Summary: Six new diiridium complexes with 2-methyl-6-phenylpyridyl as the cyclometalating ligand and mu(2)-oxamidato or mu(2)-dithioxamidato as the bridging ligand have been synthesized. The presence of multiple isomers in these complexes was confirmed by NMR and X-ray crystallography, and computational calculations supported the experimental findings. The emission spectra of these complexes were attributed to mixed metal-ligand to ligand charge transfer excited states.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Rebecca J. Salthouse, Juan Hurtado-Gallego, Iain M. Grace, Ross Davidson, Ohud Alshammari, Nicolas Agrait, Colin J. Lambert, Martin R. Bryce
Summary: We studied a series of thiomethyl anchored cross-conjugated molecules and their skipped-conjugated alcohol derivatives using experimental and theoretical methods. The conductance values of the cross-conjugated molecules and their skipped-conjugated partners were found to be similar. Theoretical studies revealed that the conductance of the alcohol series of compounds varied more with the tilt angle. Thermopower measurements showed that the cross-conjugated ketone molecules had a higher Seebeck coefficient compared to the alcohol derivatives, with a particularly high value for the biphenyl derivative 3a.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Nan Jiang, Ke-Xin Li, Wei Xie, Shu-Ran Zhang, Xin Li, Yue Hu, Yan-Hong Xu, Xing-Man Liu, Martin R. Bryce
Summary: In this study, clusters with different extents of aggregation were successfully prepared by heat-induced or light-triggered methods, and the multicolor fluorescence of a single polymeric material was controllably regulated. The luminescence behavior of the material varied with the microscopic control of the aggregation structure. This research provides a template for developing new materials for multicolor fluorescence and demonstrates the potential of PUE as a smart material through the construction of a pattern with encryption, anticounterfeiting, and information transmission functions.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Oscar Jover, Alberto Martin-Jimenez, Hannah M. Franklin, Ryan M. Koenig, Jose I. Martinez, Nazario Martin, Koen Lauwaet, Rodolfo Miranda, Jose M. Gallego, Steven Stevenson, Roberto Otero
Summary: This study characterizes the adsorption, self-assembly, and electronic structure of [5,5]-C-90 fullertube molecules on different noble metal surfaces using scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy. The results show that the shape of the molecular orbitals of the adsorbed fullertubes matches the theoretical calculations, and some of the molecular orbitals are influenced by the quantum confinement imposed by the hemifullerene caps. These findings provide a conceptual framework for the design and understanding of custom fullertube molecules.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Nan Jiang, Ke-Xin Li, Jia-Jun Wang, Chen-Sen Li, Xiao-Yu Xu, Yan-Hong Xu, Martin R. Bryce
Summary: This article presents the achievement of cluster-induced aggregation, multicolour luminescence, and ultra-long phosphorescence in non-conjugated luminescent polymers (NCLPs) based on linear polyurethane derivatives. By adjusting the reaction temperature and time, the authors successfully prepared NCLPs with ultra-long room temperature phosphorescence lifetime of 0.45 s. DFT calculations and molecular dynamics simulations provided detailed microstructural information on the polyurethane derivatives, revealing the underlying luminous mechanism. The potential of the polyurethane derivatives in information security was validated through experimental encryption/decryption models. These findings have important implications for understanding unconventional luminescence mechanisms and strategic design of NCLPs for practical applications.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY C
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Haoran Wang, Qiyao Li, Parvej Alam, Haotian Bai, Vandana Bhalla, Martin R. Bryce, Mingyue Cao, Chao Chen, Sijie Chen, Xirui Chen, Yuncong Chen, Zhijun Chen, Dongfeng Dang, Dan Ding, Siyang Ding, Yanhong Duo, Meng Gao, Wei He, Xuewen He, Xuechuan Hong, Yuning Hong, Jing-Jing Hu, Rong Hu, Xiaolin Huang, Tony D. James, Xingyu Jiang, Gen-ichi Konishi, Ryan T. K. Kwok, Jacky W. Y. Lam, Chunbin Li, Haidong Li, Kai Li, Nan Li, Wei-Jian Li, Ying Li, Xing-Jie Liang, Yongye Liang, Bin Liu, Guozhen Liu, Xingang Liu, Xiaoding Lou, Xin-Yue Lou, Liang Luo, Paul R. McGonigal, Zong-Wan Mao, Guangle Niu, Tze Cin Owyong, Andrea Pucci, Jun Qian, Anjun Qin, Zijie Qiu, Andrey L. Rogach, Bo Situ, Kazuo Tanaka, Youhong Tang, Bingnan Wang, Dong Wang, Jianguo Wang, Wei Wang, Wen-Xiong Wang, Wen-Jin Wang, Xinyuan Wang, Yi-Feng Wang, Shuizhu Wu, Yifan Wu, Yonghua Xiong, Ruohan Xu, Chenxu Yan, Saisai Yan, Hai-Bo Yang, Lin-Lin Yang, Mingwang Yang, Ying-Wei Yang, Juyoung Yoon, Shuang-Quan Zang, Jiangjiang Zhang, Pengfei Zhang, Tianfu Zhang, Xin Zhang, Xin Zhang, Na Zhao, Zheng Zhao, Jie Zheng, Lei Zheng, Zheng Zheng, Ming-Qiang Zhu, Wei-Hong Zhu, Hang Zou, Ben Zhong Tang
Summary: This review provides a comprehensive summary of the advantages and applications of aggregation-induced emission (AIE) luminogens in imaging of biological structure, dynamic physiological processes, disease diagnosis and treatment, as well as detection and monitoring of specific analytes. It also discusses future directions to promote research and development in the fields of life and health.